Health: Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients
Understanding the nutrients your body needs in large and small amounts
Health: Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients
Understanding the nutrients your body needs in large and small amounts
Health - Grade 6-8
- 1
List the three main macronutrients and explain why they are called macronutrients.
The prefix macro means large.
The three main macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They are called macronutrients because the body needs them in large amounts for energy, growth, repair, and normal body functions. - 2
A student eats oatmeal with berries for breakfast. Which macronutrient is the main source of quick energy in this meal, and why?
Carbohydrates are the main source of quick energy in this meal. Oatmeal and berries contain carbohydrates that the body can break down into glucose for fuel. - 3
Explain one important job of protein in the body and give one food that is a good source of protein.
Think about what the body needs after exercise or during growth.
Protein helps build and repair body tissues such as muscles, skin, and organs. A good source of protein is chicken, eggs, beans, tofu, fish, yogurt, or nuts. - 4
A food label shows that one serving has 12 grams of fat. Explain why fat is not automatically unhealthy.
Fat is not automatically unhealthy because the body needs some fat for energy, cell function, brain health, and absorbing certain vitamins. Healthier fats from foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil are better choices than many fried or highly processed foods. - 5
Define micronutrients and give two examples.
The prefix micro means small.
Micronutrients are nutrients the body needs in small amounts to stay healthy. Examples include vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin D, and minerals such as iron and calcium. - 6
Calcium is a mineral that helps build strong bones and teeth. Name two foods or drinks that can provide calcium.
Two foods or drinks that can provide calcium are milk and yogurt. Other good sources include cheese, fortified plant milks, tofu made with calcium, leafy greens, and canned salmon with bones. - 7
Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Explain why a person who does not get enough iron may feel tired.
Think about oxygen as something cells need to release energy from food.
A person who does not get enough iron may feel tired because their blood may not carry oxygen as well. Without enough oxygen reaching the body’s cells, the body may have less energy. - 8
A lunch includes grilled chicken, brown rice, broccoli, and a small amount of olive oil. Identify one macronutrient and one micronutrient likely found in this meal.
One macronutrient in this meal is protein from the grilled chicken. One micronutrient likely found in the meal is vitamin C from the broccoli, although the meal may also contain minerals and other vitamins. - 9
Choose the more nutrient-dense snack: a candy bar or an apple with peanut butter. Explain your choice.
Nutrient-dense foods provide many useful nutrients for the amount of energy they contain.
An apple with peanut butter is more nutrient-dense because it provides carbohydrates, fiber, healthy fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. A candy bar usually has more added sugar and fewer helpful nutrients. - 10
Explain the difference between added sugars and naturally occurring sugars. Give one example of each.
Added sugars are put into foods or drinks during processing or preparation, such as sugar in soda or candy. Naturally occurring sugars are found naturally in foods, such as fructose in fruit or lactose in milk. - 11
A student says, 'Vitamins give you energy, so taking extra vitamins is the same as eating enough food.' Explain why this statement is incorrect.
Calories come from macronutrients, not from most vitamins.
This statement is incorrect because vitamins help the body use energy and carry out important processes, but they do not provide calories for energy. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats provide energy, so the body still needs enough food. - 12
Plan a balanced dinner that includes carbohydrates, protein, fat, and at least two micronutrients. Name the foods and identify the nutrients they provide.
A balanced dinner could include whole-grain pasta, grilled salmon, spinach, and olive oil. The pasta provides carbohydrates, the salmon provides protein and healthy fat, the olive oil provides fat, and the spinach provides micronutrients such as vitamin K, folate, and iron.