Macronutrients - Protein, Fats and Carbohydrates
Your body needs three nutrients in large amounts: protein, fat and carbohydrate. See what each one does, where to find it, and why fat packs the most energy of the three.
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The big three 🍽️
Your body needs three **macronutrients** in large amounts: **protein**, **fat** and **carbohydrate**. Each has its own job, and each gives you energy. This module looks at what each one does, where to find it, and how much energy it provides.
Words to know 📖
Four ideas run through this module:
Two kinds of protein ⚖️
Proteins are graded by how many of the essential amino acids they contain.
Match each nutrient 🔗
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrate
- Dietary fibre
- Growth and repair of the body
- Energy, warmth and protecting the organs
- The main source of energy
- Aiding digestion and keeping you full
High value protein 🥚
Which food is a high biological value protein, containing all the essential amino acids?
- Eggs
- Bread
- Lentils
- Rice
Plant protein done right 🌱
A vegetarian or vegan can still get all the essential amino acids through **protein complementation**: combining two LBV foods, such as beans on toast or rice and peas. There are also protein **alternatives** such as **soya**, **tofu**, **mycoprotein** (the base of Quorn) and **TVP**, textured vegetable protein.
Match each food 🔀
- Chicken
- Butter
- Pasta
- An apple
- Mostly protein
- Mostly fat
- Mostly starchy carbohydrate
- Mostly sugars and fibre
True of fats ✅
Select the TWO statements that are TRUE about fats.
- Saturated fats are usually solid and come from animals
- Unsaturated fats are usually liquid and are healthier
- Fat gives less energy per gram than carbohydrate
- Fat has no useful function in the body
Energy per gram 🔢
An interactive activity.
Simple to complex 🪜
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Nutrients in words 🧩
The three macronutrients are protein, fat and _____. Protein is needed for growth and _____. A protein with all the essential amino acids is an _____ protein. _____ fats are usually solid and come from animals. Fat provides about _____ kcal per gram, more than protein or carbohydrate.
Spot the true statements 🖍️
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Choose the nutrition 🧭
An interactive activity.
The big three explained ✍️
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