Food

Food is a source of chemical energy in humans.

The energy required by different individuals is dependent on activity, gender and age.

The more active a person is, the more energy they need.

This is due to their muscles working harder.

Males need more energy than females.

This is due to males having a higher muscle mass.

Young people need more energy than older people.

This is due to young people growing and being more active.

Food	Function	Source
Carbohydrate	Energy source: starch (slow release) and sugar (fast release)	Bread, pasta, biscuits
Fat	Energy source: Insulation	Oil, butter
Protein	Growth and repair	Red meat, eggs
Water	Solvent, Transport of substances around the body	Most foods and drinks
Fibre	Prevent constipation.	Wholemeal bread, fruit and vegetables
Vitamin C	Healthy teeth and gums.	Citrus fruits
Vitamin D	Strong bones and teeth.	Fish oil, dairy products
Calcium (mineral)	Strong bones and teeth	Dairy products.
Iron (mineral)	Helps red blood cells carry oxygen	Red meat, spinach.

Food	Carbohydrate
Function	Energy source: starch (slow release) and sugar (fast release)
Source	Bread, pasta, biscuits

Food	Water
Function	Solvent, Transport of substances around the body
Source	Most foods and drinks

Food	Fibre
Function	Prevent constipation.
Source	Wholemeal bread, fruit and vegetables

Food	Iron (mineral)
Function	Helps red blood cells carry oxygen
Source	Red meat, spinach.

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