The 7 Food Groups

770 Words4 Pages
The 7 Food Groups | The role of these nutrients in the metabolism ( to provide either regulatory or structural molecules) and the role of minerals and vitamins in the enzyme system. | Carbohydrates | Carbohydrates are a main source of energy to the body. This is due to the fact that they can be converted into glucose; a sugar that is used by the body. Glucose is important but must be kept at balanced levels to avoid tiredness and irritation. Examples of foods with carbohydrates include bread, potatoes, rice and pasta etc. | Lipids (fats) | Lipids are known for making cell membranes, these cell membranes then protect and insulate organs from heat loss and is also used as a source of energy. Lipids contain vitamins A, D and E (fat soluble vitamins) which help in the production of the hormones oestrogen and testosterone.Fat supplies us with energy and makes it possible for other nutrients to function well too. Examples of foods that contain lipids are butter, cheese, tuna and olives etc. | Proteins | Proteins are big molecules that have important roles in the body. They do a lot of the work in the cells and are used for structure, function and the regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.They are used to make enzymes, hormones, cell membranes, anti-bodies, muscle, haemoglobin, collagen and elastin (connective tissue), repair of tissues and the growth of the body.Examples of this food group would be meat, eggs, fish, nuts milk and some vegetables like lentils. | Vitamins | Vitamins are organic compounds which are needed in small quantities. Vitamins are extracted from foods because the human body cannot produce enough or not at all.B group vitamins are co-enzymes that help processes such as breathing, examples of this would be green leafy vegetables and cereals.Vitamin A is needed for the production of healthy epithelial tissue and for the immune system, along
Open Document