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7: Nutrition

  • Page ID
    11168
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    Learning Objectives

    • Summarize the basics of nutrition
    • Define macronutrients and micronutrients
    • Categorize and describe the body’s sources of energy
    • Analyze intake of nutrition and make appropriate changes

    • 7.1: The Basics of Nutrition
      Nutrition can be defined as the science of the action of food, beverages, and their components in biological systems. A nutrient is a compound that provides a needed function in the body. Nutrients can be further classified based on the amount needed in the body. Macronutrients are the nutrients the body needs in larger amounts. Micronutrients are also important nutrients, but ones the body needs in smaller amounts.
    • 7.2: Calories (Food Energy)
      Food energy is measured in kilocalories (kcals), commonly referred to as calories. Although technically incorrect, this terminology is so familiar that it will be used throughout this course. A kilocalorie is the amount of energy needed to raise 1 kilogram of water 1 degree Celsius. A food’s kilocalories are determined by putting the food into a bomb calorimeter and determining the energy output:
    • 7.3: References and Links


    This page titled 7: Nutrition is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Flynn et al. (GALILEO Open Learning Materials) .

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