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5: Nutrition

  • Page ID
    145116
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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

    • 5.1: The Basics of Nutrition
      This page discusses the science of nutrition, examining how food and beverages impact biological systems, with a focus on nutrients. Nutrients are divided into macronutrients, required in larger quantities (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and water), and micronutrients, needed in smaller amounts (vitamins and minerals). Each macronutrient contributes to energy provision and bodily functions, while micronutrients are vital for proper physiological processes.
    • 5.2: Calories (Food Energy)
      This page explains food energy measurement in kilocalories, detailing macronutrient contributions and the significance of balancing caloric intake and expenditure for weight management. It introduces USDA's MyPlate for healthy eating guidance, and touches on high-fructose corn syrup, protein types, cholesterol, fiber, and the roles of vitamins.
    • 5.3: References and Links
      This page offers a comprehensive collection of references and resources on human nutrition, highlighting key studies like the Framingham Heart Study and the Nurses Health Study. It includes links to academic papers, informative websites, and some outdated links. The content also details nutritional perspectives and assessment tools, such as the NHANES Food Frequency Questionnaire and protein digestibility scores, serving as a valuable resource for further exploration of nutrition-related topics.
    • 5.4: Basic Nutrition and Healthy Eating
      This page provides an overview of nutrition, its etymology, and its significance in health. It highlights the role of nutritional science in understanding how diet affects individuals and populations across various disciplines. Emphasizing the importance of adequate nutrition for bodily functions, it notes the consequences of deficiencies. Additionally, it critiques the American diet for its common shortcomings, including inadequate nutrient intake, fast consumption, and lack of satisfaction.
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    This page titled 5: Nutrition was last modified on Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:43:56 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Scott Flynn, Jonathan Howard, Lisa Jellum, and Althea Moser (GALILEO Open Learning Materials) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.