Chapter 1. The Science of Nutrition
08/27/25
Nutrition: the science of how living organisms obtain and use food to support all the processes
required for their existence
o Energy- fuel for daily activities
Energy is converted into. Adenosine-triphosphate "molecular battery"
ATP allows muscles to move and drives digestions
Energy comes from carbs, proteins, and lipids NOT minerals and vitamins
o Structure- building muscle, bones, and cells
o Regulation- chemical reaction and body processes
Nutritional Scientists: scientists who study nutrition
Dietitians: are nutrition pro's who help people make dietary changes and food choices to
support a healthy lifestyle
o RD or RDN which stand for registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist
Nutritional Sciences: the science of nutrition
Nutrients: substances in foods required or used by the body for at least one of the following:
energy, structure, or regulation of chemical reactions
o Example: carbohydrates supply energy to fuel your body
Foods Contain Nutrients and Nonnutrients
Nutrients are classified into six category based on chemical and physical properties:
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, minerals, and vitamins
Other ways to classify nutrients
o Essential nutrients: nutrients to body requires and that your body cannot either make or
make in adequate amounts
o Nonessential Nutrients: required by your body but your body can make them in the
amounts to satisfy.
Example: milk- essential ( vitamin A and calcium) nonessential (cholesterol)
o Conditionally Essential Nutrient: when a nonessential nutrient becomes essential
Example: babies are unable to make all of the lipids they need to survive so the
have to be feed them until they get older and can start producing them on their
own.
Macro vs. Micro
Macronutrients: water, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids because they need large quantities of
them each day (grams)
o Ex: Oatmeal, 1 cup has carbs: 25g, protein: 6g, and lipids: 2g
25x4=100 (4 kcal/g)
6x4=24 (4 kcal/g)
2x9=18 (9 kcal/g)
142 kcal
Micronutrients: vitamins and minerals because we need small amounts of them each day
(milligrams)
Organic Nutrients are Different from Organic Foods
Organic Compounds: molecules that contains carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms
o Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins are chemically organic nutrients
Inorganic: do not contain carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen
o Water and minerals
, Certified organic: has been grown and processed according to U.S department of Ag national
organic standards
Phytochemicals: substances found in plants that may help reduce the risk for developing certain
diseases
o NOT nutrients- they do not provide energy
o Protests cells, acting as antioxidants, and lowering risk of cancer or heart disease
o Ex: lycopene in tomatoes
Zoonutrients: compounds present in animals-based foods that provide health benefits beyond
the provision of traditional nutrients and energy
o Not nutrients- they do not provide energy or build hormones
o Contain bioactive compounds that support health
o Non-essential nutrient
o Ex: omegas 3 fats in fish support heart health
Functional Foods: those that are fortified or enhanced to promote optimal health
o Functional foods contain: enhanced amounts of traditional nutrients, phytochemicals,
zoonutrients, or other bioactive components such as probiotics
o They can be natural or processed/fortified
o Example: beets and yogurt
Carbohydrates- Energy
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
Maintain health of digestive system
Fiber supports digestive health and reduces risk of disease risk
The most important carb is glucose because most cells use it as their main source of energy
4 kcal/g
Proteins- Structure
Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen but some also contain sulfur and selenium atoms
Comprise the structural part of the body, muscles, bones and skin
Found in meat, eggs, dairy, legumes and grains
Important role in immune system
4 kcal/g
Lipids
Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms
Fats and oils and they provide large amounts of energy
Fats, oils, and cholesterol
Required for proper nervous and reproductive system function
Regulates cellular processes
9 kcal/g
Water
Without water there would be no life!!!
Oxygen and hydrogen atoms- makes up about 60% of total body weight
MANY functions: transport nutrients, gases, and waste, medium in chemical reactions, and
regulate body temp, and protect internal organs
Serves as a medium for chemical reactions
Helps regulate temp and protect organs
Minerals- Regulation
Inorganic substances (iron, selenium, and sodium)
08/27/25
Nutrition: the science of how living organisms obtain and use food to support all the processes
required for their existence
o Energy- fuel for daily activities
Energy is converted into. Adenosine-triphosphate "molecular battery"
ATP allows muscles to move and drives digestions
Energy comes from carbs, proteins, and lipids NOT minerals and vitamins
o Structure- building muscle, bones, and cells
o Regulation- chemical reaction and body processes
Nutritional Scientists: scientists who study nutrition
Dietitians: are nutrition pro's who help people make dietary changes and food choices to
support a healthy lifestyle
o RD or RDN which stand for registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist
Nutritional Sciences: the science of nutrition
Nutrients: substances in foods required or used by the body for at least one of the following:
energy, structure, or regulation of chemical reactions
o Example: carbohydrates supply energy to fuel your body
Foods Contain Nutrients and Nonnutrients
Nutrients are classified into six category based on chemical and physical properties:
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, minerals, and vitamins
Other ways to classify nutrients
o Essential nutrients: nutrients to body requires and that your body cannot either make or
make in adequate amounts
o Nonessential Nutrients: required by your body but your body can make them in the
amounts to satisfy.
Example: milk- essential ( vitamin A and calcium) nonessential (cholesterol)
o Conditionally Essential Nutrient: when a nonessential nutrient becomes essential
Example: babies are unable to make all of the lipids they need to survive so the
have to be feed them until they get older and can start producing them on their
own.
Macro vs. Micro
Macronutrients: water, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids because they need large quantities of
them each day (grams)
o Ex: Oatmeal, 1 cup has carbs: 25g, protein: 6g, and lipids: 2g
25x4=100 (4 kcal/g)
6x4=24 (4 kcal/g)
2x9=18 (9 kcal/g)
142 kcal
Micronutrients: vitamins and minerals because we need small amounts of them each day
(milligrams)
Organic Nutrients are Different from Organic Foods
Organic Compounds: molecules that contains carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms
o Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins are chemically organic nutrients
Inorganic: do not contain carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen
o Water and minerals
, Certified organic: has been grown and processed according to U.S department of Ag national
organic standards
Phytochemicals: substances found in plants that may help reduce the risk for developing certain
diseases
o NOT nutrients- they do not provide energy
o Protests cells, acting as antioxidants, and lowering risk of cancer or heart disease
o Ex: lycopene in tomatoes
Zoonutrients: compounds present in animals-based foods that provide health benefits beyond
the provision of traditional nutrients and energy
o Not nutrients- they do not provide energy or build hormones
o Contain bioactive compounds that support health
o Non-essential nutrient
o Ex: omegas 3 fats in fish support heart health
Functional Foods: those that are fortified or enhanced to promote optimal health
o Functional foods contain: enhanced amounts of traditional nutrients, phytochemicals,
zoonutrients, or other bioactive components such as probiotics
o They can be natural or processed/fortified
o Example: beets and yogurt
Carbohydrates- Energy
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
Maintain health of digestive system
Fiber supports digestive health and reduces risk of disease risk
The most important carb is glucose because most cells use it as their main source of energy
4 kcal/g
Proteins- Structure
Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen but some also contain sulfur and selenium atoms
Comprise the structural part of the body, muscles, bones and skin
Found in meat, eggs, dairy, legumes and grains
Important role in immune system
4 kcal/g
Lipids
Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms
Fats and oils and they provide large amounts of energy
Fats, oils, and cholesterol
Required for proper nervous and reproductive system function
Regulates cellular processes
9 kcal/g
Water
Without water there would be no life!!!
Oxygen and hydrogen atoms- makes up about 60% of total body weight
MANY functions: transport nutrients, gases, and waste, medium in chemical reactions, and
regulate body temp, and protect internal organs
Serves as a medium for chemical reactions
Helps regulate temp and protect organs
Minerals- Regulation
Inorganic substances (iron, selenium, and sodium)
