Nutrition 101
Understanding Your Nutrients

Carbohydrates:

“Carbs” are made up of small units of sugar linked together. There are two types: simple and complex. The difference is the number of units linked together—the more units, the more complex. Simple carbs are found in foods that taste sweet. Complex carbs, sometimes referred to as starch, are found in bread, pasta, potatoes, cereal. They take longer to digest and are used at a slower rate by the body. When burned for energy, all carbs provide 4 calories per gram.

Protein:

Literally means "of prime importance." Protein is made up of smaller units, or "building blocks," called amino acids. There are 11 amino acids which the body can produce and nine which must be gotten from the food we eat. When burned for energy, all protein provide 4 calories per gram.

Fat:

Dietary fat is part of a healthy diet. There are saturated fats and unsaturated fats. (See February Food Bites for more information). When burned for energy, all fat provides 9 calories per gram.

Vitamins and minerals:

Small but powerful nutrients needed by the body for good health. They are best obtained from food. They do not provide calories.

Can healthy eating and college life go together? Absolutely! Get the nutrition facts you need in the book Eating Well on Campus by Ann Litt, M.S., R.D., L.D.

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