Nutritional Principles
Principles of Nutrition
As manufacturers come up with new cereals, snack crackers, and cookies, making healthy food choices becomes more difficult. Eating well is still possible, but the decision of what to eat has become somewhat complicated. If you understand the importance of good nutrition, you will more likely make wise food choices that will increase your energy and enhance your health.
Have you ever wondered what is in your food? Do you properly supply your body with the nutrients it needs to keep healthy and keep you going? In this interactivity, you will learn about the nutrients essential to your body and how proper portions of certain foods can give you the nutrition your body requires. Click the player button to begin.
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USDA Recommendations
To be healthy, you need to eat foods from many different sources. A diet that is very limited may result in your body being low in the essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats it needs for good health.
As you learned in the warm-up activity, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives recommendations for the daily allowances of each food group to help you obtain the appropriate amount of nutrients. Explore the USDA's website on MyPlate, to discover what is best for your body. As you delve into the information, use the MyPlate Activity Guide to help you find the most important information.
Limiting Fat, Sodium, and Added Sugar
Did you know that eating foods that contain saturated and trans fats will increase the level of "bad" cholesterol in your body, causing an increased risk for heart disease? Did you know that most Americans consume more sodium than they need, causing an increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease? Did you know that most food you buy contains many added sugars, causing an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer? In this interactivity, you will learn ways to limit fat, sodium, and added sugar. Click the player button to begin.
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Nutrient Density
It is important to eat from every food group mentioned in MyPlate, and to choose foods within those food groups that are nutrient dense. Foods that have nutrient density contain nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. Nutrient dense foods are typically fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein such as seafood, poultry, and eggs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends specific amounts of daily nutrients. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Food Labeling Guide. Are you surprised at the recommendations? Why or why not?
Minerals, amino acids, and fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins play a key role in regulating bodily functions, such as growth, digestion, maintaining the immune system. These nutrients are not produced in the body naturally. They are extracted from the foods that you eat. For this reason, it is important that you receive the appropriate amount of nutrients each day. Some people choose to eat a daily multi-vitamin or other type of dietary supplement to ensure they receive the necessary amounts of nutrients each day. However, if you focus on eating nutrient dense foods, such supplements are not necessary.
Nutritional Principles Review
Now that you have learned a bit about nutritional principles, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Click the player button to get started.