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Food is the
body's fuel, providing chemical energy to help it grow,
maintain and repair itself. A good balanced diet should
include foods from all the major food groups: fruit
and vegetables; bread, cereals, rice and pasta; milk,
yoghurt and cheese; meat, poultry, fish, beans, pulses,
nuts and eggs. This ensures that the body receives a
good balance of essential nutrients. |
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A hen's egg is designed to meet the nutritional needs of
the developing chick. However, the eggs we eat are not fertilised.
It is probably not surprising, therefore, that it contains
many of the nutrients that are essential in a human diet:
proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Egg protein is the highest quality food protein available.
The quality of a protein is measured by the protein content,
the quantity of essential amino acids (which enable the body
to grow and repair itself) and how easily it is absorbed and
digested by the human body. 12.3% of the weight of a hen's
egg is made up of protein.
Eggs are a rich source of fats. Fats provide the body with
concentrated stores of energy and aid the absorption of soluble
vitamins. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy for rapid
use. Eggs contain very little carbohydrates and no fibre,
but combine well with other foods that do.
Vitamins are important in keeping the body healthy. Eggs contain most of the recognised vitamins, except Vitamin C. Humans also require at least 20 mineral elements to function normally, and most of these can be found in eggs. (Click here for further nutrition information)
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List the five main essential
nutrients.
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Design two menus that include
foods from all the major food groups. Include a starter,
main course and a dessert. One menu should be suitable
for vegetarians.
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1. Enzymes
are a form of protein.
(i) What
important role do enzymes play in the digestion of food?
(ii) Draw
and label a diagram showing the path food takes through
the body, from the mouth to the rectum.
2. Aerobic respiration involves chemical
reactions in the body's cells that occur in the presence
of oxygen. These reactions release food energy, which
can then be used by the cells. Explain aerobic respiration
as a simple equation. |
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