Introduction to

Nutrition Science

Nutrients
Definition Any substance in food that
the body can use to obtain energy,
synthesize tissues or regulate functions

Function:
1.
2.
3.

Energy source
Structure bones, muscles & all cells
Regulate bodily processes BP, energy production,
temperature regulation

Carbohydrates
Protein

Supply
Energy

Lipids
Contribute To Cell
and Body Structure
Vitamins
Minerals
Water

Regulate Body
Processes

Nutrients
Essential Nutrients

Must be obtained in the diet

The body cannot make or cannot make adequate
amount

Classes of Nutrient
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Carbohydrates
Lipids/fats
Protein
Vitamins
Mineral
Water

Carbohydrates

Protein

Lipids
6 Classes
of
Nutrients

Minerals

Water
Vitamins

Nutrients
Classes of nutrients can also be divided as
1.

Organic

2.

Contains carbon in the structure

Carbs, fats, protein & vitamins

Inorganic

Does not contain carbon

Mineral, water

Nutrients
Nutrient can be divided into:
1.

Macronutrient

2.

Needed in large amount

Carbs, fats & protein

Micronutrient

Needed in smaller amount

Vitamins. mineral

Nutrients & Energy

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Energy in food is chemical energy, which the body

converts to mechanical, electrical or heat energy.
Carbs, fats, protein source of energy

Kilocalories (kcal)

A unit used to measure energy

Food energy is measured in kilocalories
(1000 calories = 1 kilocalories)

Nutrients & Energy

Calculation Energy Available from
Foods
Carb = 4kcal/g
Fat = 9kcal/g
Protein
= 4kcal/g
Alcohol
= 7kcal/g
E.g., Calculate kcal for 275g carbs, 75g protein &
67g fat
Answer - 275g carbs
x 4kcal/g
= 1100kcal
75g protein
x 4kcal/g
= 300kcal
67g fat
x 9kcal/g
= 600kcal
TOTAL = 2000kcal

Nutrients & Energy

Calculating the % of Kcal from nutrients
E.g.,

275g carbs x 4
1100kcal 2000kcal
x 100

= 1100kcal

75g protein x 4
300kcal 2000kcal
x 100

= 300kcal

67g fat x 9
600kcal 2000kcal
x 100

= 55% carbs kcal

= 15% protein kcal

= 600kcal
= 30% fat kcal

Calculating the Energy Available from Food

e.g., How much energy is produced in a diet
containing 850g of carbohydrate, 90g of fat, 140g
of protein and 35g of alcohol?

850g carbohydrates x
140g protein
x
90g fat
x
35g alcohol
x
Total kcal

4
4
9
7

= 3400 kcal
= 560 kcal
= 360 kcal
= 245 kcal
= 4656 kcal

Calculating the Energy Available from Food

E.g., A Arsenal soccer player aged 24 years old has a

bodyweight of 75kg and energy intake of 3800 kcal/day.
How many grams of carbohydrate has he taken if his
carbohydrate intake is 55% of his daily caloric intake?
1g of carbs = 4kcal
Carbs intake = 3800 x 0.55
= 2090
2090kcal carbs 4g/kcal =

522.5g

The End of Chapter One

Any Question???

EXERCISE 1
1.

Calculate the energy produced in a diet containing

300g of carbohydrates, 200g of lipids, 100g of
protein and 50g of alcohol.

2.

Calculate the % of kcal from nutrients above.

3.

A male athlete aged 20 years old has a bodyweight

of 60 kg and energy intake 3000 kcal/day. How
many grams of carbohydrate has he taken if his
carbohydrate intake is 60 % of his daily caloric
intake?

FORMULA QUESTION 1

To calculate the energy available from food,

multiply (x) the number of grams of
carbohydrate, protein, lipid and alcohol by 4, 9, 7
and 4 respectively. Then add the results.
Carbohydrate
Protein
Lipid
Alcohol
e.g:

= 4 kcal/g
= 4 kcal/g
= 9 kcal/g
= 7 kcal/g

???g x ???kcal/g = ???kcal

1.

Calculate the energy produced in a diet containing

300g of carbohydrates, 200g of lipids, 100g of
protein and 50g of alcohol.
300g carbohydrates
200g lipids
100g protein
50g alcohol
TOTAL

x
x
x
x

4 kcal/g
9 kcal/g
4 kcal/g
7 kcal/g

= 1200 kcal
= 1800 kcal
= 400 kcal
= 350 kcal
= 3750 kcal

FORMULA QUESTION 2

To calculate the percentage (%) of calories

each of these components, divide () the
individual results by the total and then
multiply (x) by 100.

2.

Calculate the % of kcal from nutrients above.

300g carbs x 4 kcal/g
1200 kcal 3750 kcal x 100

= 1200 kcal
= 32 % carbs kcal

200g lipids x 9 kcal/g

1800 kcal 3750 kcal x 100

= 1800 kcal
= 48 % lipids kcal

100g protein x 4 kcal/g

400 kcal
3750 kcal

= 400 kcal
= 11 % protein kcal

50g alcohol x 7 kcal/g

350 kcal
3750 kcal

= 350 kcal
= 9 % alcohol kcal

3.

A male athlete aged 20 years old has a bodyweight

of 60 kg and energy intake 3000 kcal/day. How
many grams of carbohydrate has he taken if his
carbohydrate intake is 60 % of his daily caloric
intake?
1g carbs
Carbs intake

= 4 kcal
= 3000 x 0.60
= 1800 kcal carbs

1800 kcal carbs 4g/kcal = 450g