Fats
The function of fats in the body
It essential we have fats for are body to function properly to work efficiently fats are made up of glycerine/ fatty acids fat also can be saturated-contain saturated fatty acids which are the main constituents of hard fats for example butter, lard. Unsaturated – liquid at room temperature for example olive oil, they are divided into monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats
- Main source of energy
- Provide a layer of insulation under the skin to keep warm
- Lubricate food to make more edible
- Protect the heart, lungs and kidneys
- Carry vitamins a,d,e and k and without fat theses would not be passed around the body
- Fatty acids which help cell membrane’s and the numerous system
Fats can be in groups
- Animal
- Vegetable
- Marine
- Dairy
Fat soluble vitamins
These are found in fat or oily parts of food they are not excreted in the urine as they are not water soluble so will gather in the body especially in the liver large amounts of a, d vitamins are very dangerous so is important that not too many are gathered in the body
Water soluble
Water soluble are easily discarded when prospering food and the rawer the vegetables the more vitamins in it and it is best to leave the vegetables preparation just before you are going to cook them and vitamins in the b group are complex
Minerals
There are 22 known minerals in the human body most of which are thought to be essential and are lost when cooking but a small amount are there and we get them but not enough in a single snack or meal
fortified
Some will have nutrients added to fortify their dietary value some food are fortified by the law such as margarine while others like cereals are fortified voluntarily the nutrients that are added to food include vitamins a,c,d and a range of b vitamins also minerals such as iron and calcium and proteins
requirements of a balanced diet
Water
60 per cent of a male body is made up of water also 50 per cent of female body is made up of water but male has 10 per cent more due to muscles. Muscles hold more water than fat dose without water you will only survive for about 10 days if the water is really hot this will be reduced to even 24 hours and you can survive without food for several weeks water carries nutrients and minerals around the body we might get water from fruit juices/ milk/ tea and coffee witch will provide vitamins and nutrient’s and minerals most adults will need to drink between 1.2 and 1.5 litres a day with another 1 litter coming from food we eat babies will dehydrate very quickly epically if it is hot or ill we need water for are
- Metabolic reactions
- Maintain blood pressure and circulation of blood
- To assist digestion absorption and assimilation of food
- Transportation of nutrient’s in solution
- To act as a lubricant in joints membranes and skin
- To enable electrical messages to be sent between cells
- For blood and essential body fluids
- Body temperature and for perspiration loss of water from the skin
- For ingestion
- For excretion of toxins and waste products via kidneys, colon and lungs
Fibre (nsp non-starch polysaccharides)
This includes cellulose theses are found in fruit also gives protection from coronary heart disease and diabetes food with lots of nsp is chewy and is slower to past the digestive system which aids for efficient excretion
Concept of a balance diet
From the micro and macro nutrients we need to build a balanced diet which is dose not exceed the energy we take the amount we burn off so we need take the wright balance of nutrients for are body to furcation properly an imbalance in the diet can lead to Weight loss or weight gain any excess calories left the body and are not used these will turn to fat and excess weight can lead to strain on organs child that are overweight are more prone to illness and have the higher risk of having hart problems and varicose veins.
Dietary reference values
Conclusion:
Vitamins, nutrients and minerals are vital part of children diets as it helps them grow and develop healthy in to adults also helps keep them active also it is a vital that all children get lots of vitamins, nutrients and minerals this will also help them have a good health life in their older years of life