Savana Canary
Category / Definition / ImportanceServing Size / the amount of a food or drink that is generally served / it’s important because without it you might accidentally intake more calories than you intended
Calories / either of two units of heat energy / they’re important because they measure the use of energy and describe the energy contents of food
Total Fat / body mass index or BMI / it’s important because the amount you consume impacts your energy level, calorie intake, and overall health
Unsaturated Fat / fat that is liquid at room temperature and comes from a plant / they’re important because they lower your disease risk
Saturated fat / a fat in which the carbon atoms are fully hydrogenated, found in animal products / they’re important because they are essential for health and longevity
Trans Fats / a type of unsaturated fats which are uncommon in nature but can be created artificially / they’re important to know of because they increase your odds of suffering heart disease
Cholesterol / a compound of the sterol type found in most body tissues, including the blood and the nerves / it’s important because it’s a substance required for the normal function of cells
Sodium / the chemical element of atomic number 11, a soft silver-white reactive metal of the alkali metal group / it’s important for fluid distribution, blood pressure, cellular work and electrical
Carbohydrates / any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose / it’s important because it gets turned into glucose that fuels the body
Fiber / a thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is formed / it’s important because it breaks down plant foods your body is unable to digest
Sugar / a sweet crystalline substance obtained from various plants, especially sugar cane and sugar beet, consisting essentially of sucrose, and used as a sweetener in food and drink / sugar is important because it provides energy to your muscles and it acts as a source of energy for your brain and nervous system
Protein / any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds that consist of large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms / it’s important because it is an essential nutrient needed in the body for the growth, maintenance and repair of muscle, and body tissues
Minerals*
- Calcium
- Iron
Iron: a strong, hard magnetic silvery-gray metal, the chemical element of atomic number 26 / Calcium: it’s important because it helps in blood clotting, transmission of nerve impulses and regulation of the heart's rhythm
Iron: it’s important because it’s present in red blood cells and is crucial to delivering oxygen to every other cell in the body
Vitamins*
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C: essential nutrient found mainly in fruits and vegetables / Vitamin A: they play important roles in bodily functions such as metabolism, immunity, and digestion
Vitamin C: it’s essential for proper functioning of your body and the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases and conditions like diabetes and heart disease
* Foods contain other important minerals and vitamins. The most common vitamins and minerals displayed on food labels have been included for this activity.
© 2013 Project Lead The Way,Inc.
PBSActivity 2.2.2Nutritional Terms Chart – Page 1