1. Nutrients: Introduction to the digestive
system
7 SCIENCE Mon.,Nov. 8

2. Why is it important to study nutrients?
• Nutrients are important because they are substances in
food that give cells energy and materials to develop, grow
and repair themselves if necessary
• 6 kinds:
– Carbohydrates
– Proteins
– Vitamins
– Fats
– Minerals
– Water
• These are available in food and broken down in your
digestive system
• What nutrients do you are needed to repair a broken bone?

3. Carbohydrates
• Main source of energy for
your body
• 3 types:
– Sugar, starch and cellulose
• Foods like:
– Fruit
– Honey
– Potatoes
– Pasta

4. Proteins
• Used by your body for growth
• Replaces and repairs (fixes) body cells
• Foods like:
– Meat
– Beans
– Cheese

5. Fats
• Also gives your body energy
• Helps your body absorb some
vitamins
• Foods like:
– Fish
– Red meat
– Cooking oils

6. Vitamins
• Only need vitamins in small amounts
• Helps your body grow and perform daily
activities
• Foods like:
– Fruits and vegetables
– Example: Vitamin C

7. Minerals
• Used in chemical reactions in your body to
build new cells, carry oxygen and other
activities
• Example: calcium from milk and milk products
helps keep bones strong

8. Water
• Most of the nutrients
cannot be used by your
body unless they are
dissolved in water
• Need to drink about 2L to
balance the water you
lose each day
– How do we lose water
each day?
• Around 60% of your body
is water
• Did you know? You can
live a few weeks without
food, but only live a few
days without water

9. Food Groups
• No one food has all the
nutrients you need, so
we have to eat a variety
of foods
• Foods that have the
same nutrients are in
the same food group
– Recommended that
you eat a certain
amount from each
group every day

10. Nutrients homework
Meal Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks
What did
you eat?
Describe the
food groups
that were
included in
this meal.
Describe the
vitamins you
have eaten
in this meal.
Describe the
minerals you
have eaten
in this meal.