What’s a Calorie!? & More Nutrition Vocab Defined!
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Nutrition -
Jul 21, 2011
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»Antioxidant:
A substance that prevents damage in our cells and DNA.
IN DEPTH…This “damage” however, is a natural occurrence that happens in our digestive process when our tissues come in contact with oxygen as we breathe.
»Calorie:
A unit of energy!
Excess energy or calories then will lead to body fat increase. So use up that energy either through a workout or other physical and enjoyable activities.
IN DEPTH…Scientifically, a calorie is the energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1 cubic cm of water by 1 degree celcius.
»Omega-3:
Essential unsaturated fatty acid that can’t be produced in the human body but is necessary for our metabolism – so we have to eat them.
IN DEPTH…you can get Omega 3’s in salmon, tuna, albacore, algae, krill and some nut oils.
»Macronutrients vs. Micronutrients:
Macronutrients are the big nutrients that we consume the most of daily like carbs, fats, proteins, water, and micronutrients are everything else!
IN DEPTH…micronutrients can be found in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. They don’t provide energy, but are still needed for us to function properly. They act as catalysts that propel essential reactions in our bodies.
»Unsaturated fat vs. Saturated fat:
Saturated fats usually come from animal sources, are solid at room tempertaure, and may contribute to high cholesterol. Unsaturated fats often derive from plant foods and are liquid at room temp.
IN DEPTH…saturated fats can be found in butter, lard, coconut oil, and milk. Unsaturated fats can be found in olive oil, avocado, sunflower oil, and corn.
»Trans-Fat:
Unsaturated fats that have been transformed to act more like saturated fats!
IN DEPTH…We’ve created an industrial process called hydrogenation that makes unsaturated (plant based) fats solid at room temp much animal based saturated fats. This will lead to higher cholesterol! Example, Crisco. Unhealthy!
»Complex Carbs:
Naturally-occurring carbs like in starchy fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
IN DEPTH…get these from legumes, brown rice, whole grains, broccoli, spinach.
»Refined Carbs:
Foods that contain sugars chemically altered by humans.
IN DEPTH…examples include all junk food, soda, candy, white bread, white rice etc.
»Flavonoids:
Compounds found in plants that act like antioxidants! Thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
IN DEPTH…So this means they protect your internal cells from permanent damage when they come in contact with oxygen. You can find them in blueberries, strawberries, apple skins, broccoli, cabbage, onions, some teas, red wines, and dark chocolate.
