Nutrient/essential nutrient/phytonutrient/nutraceutical

-compare and contrast each definition

-example of each

Nutrient: A substance that provides nourishment necessary for life and growth(cholestoral, iron, vit D, etc)

Essential Nutrient: A nutrient that MUST be obtained through food or supplements because the body does not make it or does not enough of it. Food is the primary source.(water,carbs,protien,vit. c, etc.)  

Phytonutrient: compounds found in food that are not technically necessary for life and growth but MAY help protect against cetain diseases or maybe reduce risk. Found in fruits and veggies (phyto=plant) Ex: Lycopene, found in tomatoes. 

Nutraceutical: term combining pharmaceutical and nutrition. refers to compounds naturally found in food(like phytonutrients) or put into food manually (like a probiotic) that MAY prevent or treat diseases. (EX.  fiber or adding fiber to cereal to possibly prevent cancer.)

2 major categories of essential nutrients:

-basis for classification

-List of their members

Macronutrients: nutrients found in the body in relatively LARGE amounts (compared to the micronutrients). Daily requirment are also relatively large and are present in food in large amounts. Measured in Grams. (g, 28 g/oz)

Members: Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat, Water

Micronutrients: present in the body in relatively small amounts, daily requirments are relatively small, and they are present in food in relatively small amounts. (hard to get in the diet without cautious consumption) 

Expressed in milligram(mg 1/1,000 of a gram) and microgram(mcg 1/1,000,000 of a gram) amounts. 

Members: Vitamins and minerals. 

What does a calorie represent? 

list the number of calories provided by one gram of carb, fat, protien, and alcohol

(make sure to know how to calculate the calorie content of a food by its macronutrient content.)

calorie(kcal) expresses the energy content of a food. It is a unit of heat equal to the amount of energy necessary to raise 1000 g of water by 1degree celsius

Calorie content of a food measures the potential energy within its macronutrients.

Carb & protien= 4 calories per gram

Fat= 9 calories per gram

alcohol= 7 calories per gram