Building Block : Carbohydrates
There are two types of carbohydrates :
• Sugars are simple carbohydrates because your body digests them quickly and easily .
• Starches are complex carbohydrates because it takes your body longer to digest them .
What do carbohydrates do ?
Carbohydrates give energy to all the cells in your body . They provide your body glucose . Glucose gives you quick energy . Your body ’ s cells can ’ t use it all at once . Extra glucose that your body ’ s cells can ’ t use is saved in your liver and muscles as glycogen .
Some simple carbohydrates come from foods like soft drinks and candy . These foods have lots of sugar but don ’ t have important vitamins and minerals which your body needs . Some simple carbohydrates come from foods such as apples , bananas , grapes , raisins , as well as low-fat ice cream and frozen yogurt . These foods do provide you with some vitamins and minerals .
Complex carbohydrates , also called starches , come from food like bread , cereals , pasta and vegetables like corn , potatoes and carrots . They give you energy more slowly so it lasts longer and they have a variety of vitamins and minerals , which your body needs .
Building Block : Fats
Fat is the major source of stored energy for the body . Some foods , including most fruits and vegetables , have almost no fat . Other foods have plenty of fat . They include nuts , oils , butter , and meats . You need fat in your diet so your brain and nervous system develop correctly . Dietary fat helps your body grow and develop . Fats fuel the body and help absorb some vitamins . Fats also are the building blocks for hormones and they insulate the nervous system .
There are three types of fat that we eat .
Saturated fatty acids - from animal foods , dairy foods and some oils that come from plants . Unsaturated fatty acids - from plants , fish and most plant oils . Mono unsaturated fatty acids - from some plant products such as olive oil and canola oil .
What does fat do ?
• acts as the body ’ s reserve tank of energy
• protects our organs - like a cushion
• helps our bodies stay warm in cold weather
• helps hormones keep blood pressure steady
• helps keep skin and hair healthy
• gives some vitamins a place to stay and helps them get around in the blood to where the body wants them
You should get most of your fat from lean meats , fish , and heart healthy oils . Some fat is important for good nutrition , but too much can cause health problems .
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