NUTRITION

2.1 Classes of Food

2.2 The Importance of a Balanced Diet
2.3 Human Digestive Systems
2.4 Absorption of Digested Food
2.5 Reabsorption of Water and Defecation
2.6 Healthy Eating Habits
2.1 CLASSES OF FOOD
1.Our body depends on food for energy to do work,stay healthy,and to grow.
2.Food can be divided into 7 classes.

CARBOHYDRATES
a)organic compounds made up of the elements carbon,hydrogen and oxygen.
b)include starch,cellulose,sugars and glycogen.
FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATES:
=sources of energy for physical activities like walking,running.

PROTEINS
a)consist of long chains of amino acids which contain elements
carbon,hydrogen,oxygen and nitrogen.
b)contain sulphur & phosphorus.
FUNCTIONS OF PROTEINS:
=growth & repair body tissues
=formation of enzymes,hormones,haemoglobin and antibodies in our body.
=can cause kwashiorkor.


FATS
a)compounds made up of carbon,hydrogen & oxygen.
b)consists of smaller units of fatty acids combined with glycerol.
c)Excess fats in our body can causes heart diseases.
FUNCTIONS OF FATS:
=stored under the skin or round organs in our body/ can store a lot of energy.
=helps to keep us warm and protects organs from damage.

FIBRE
a)known as roughage \ made up of cellulose from plant cell walls.
b)can hold a lot of water so that our faeces remain soft and can pass from
our body easily.
FUNCTIONS OF FIBRE:
=stimulates peristalsis that helps food move along the digestive tract.
=can prevent constipation.

WATER
a)main component of our blood and body fluid.
b)waste substances such as urea and salts are passed from
our body in water.
FUNCTION OF WATER:
=helps to regulate our body temperature.

VITAMINS
a)organic compounds needed in small amounts by our body for health and growth.
b)divided into 2 groups:
The fat -soluble vitamins:A,D,E, & K
VITAMIN A
Examples of food:
=Carrot,liver,fish liver oil, green vegetables.
Functions:
=For night vision.
=Healthy skin.
Deficiency disease
=Night blindness.
=Skin infections.

VITAMIN D
Examples of food
=Made by our body in sunlight ,also found in milk,eggs,fish liver oil.
Functions:
=Strong bones &teeth.
Deficiency diseases
=Rickets (soft bones &dental decay

VITAMIN E
Examples of food:
=Vegetable oil,whole grains,nuts,wheatgerm.
Function:
=May be needed for reproduction.
=Helps to fight against diseases.
Deficiency disease:
=Sterility

VITAMIN K
Examples of food:
=Made in human intestines,also found in egg yolk,green vegetables.
Function:
=Clotting of blood.
Deficieney disease:
=Prolonged bleeding.
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS:
VITAMIN B
Examples of food:
=Liver,milk,yeast,cereals,meat ,potatoes.
Functions:
=Releases energy from carbohydrates
=Healthy nervous system
=Healthy skin
=Formation of red blood cells
Deficiency diseases
=Beri-beri
=Anaemia

VITAMIN C
Examples of food:
=Fresh fruits and vegetables
Functions:
=Healing of wounds.
=Resistance to diseases.
Deficiency diseases
=Scurvy(bleeding gums)

2.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED DIET
1) A diet refers to the food we eat and drink.
2) A balance diet consists of carbohydrates,proteins,fats,vitamins,minerals,fibre and water taken in
the right amounts to meet the daily requirements of the body.
3) A balanced diet:
provides energy for work and movement,and maintains the body temperature.
provides building materials needed to grow new cells and tissues.