There are 5 main food groups,
Carbohydrates,
Proteins,
Lipids,
Inorganic substances and
Dietary fibre.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates consist of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
Monosaccharides
There are 3 types of monosaccharides that we have learnt - Glucose, Fructose and Galactose.
Formulas:
Glucose + Glucose = Maltose
Fructose + Glucose = Sucrose
Galactose + Glucose = Lactose
Disaccharides
Disaccharides are when 2 monosaccharides.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are when multiple monosaccharides are combined.
Proteins
Proteins are broken down into polypeptides and polypeptides can then be further broken down into amino acids. The reverse can also occur (ie Amino acids combine to form polypeptides and polypeptides can then combine to form proteins.)
Deficiency: Kwashiokor (characterised as a bloated stomach)
Lipids/Fats
Lipids, also known as fats, is broken down into
glycerol and
fatty acids. Glycerol can combine with fatty acids to form lipids.
Inorganic substances comprises
vitamins and and
minerals.
Vitamins
We have learnt 5 types of vitamins, namely Vitamin A, C, D, E and K.
Vitamin A
Deficiency results in
night blindness.
Source: Carrot, dark-green leafy vegetables, eggs
Vitamin C
Deficiency results in
scurvy.
Source: Fresh citrus foods, green vegetables
Vitamin D
Deficiency results in
rickets.
Source: Sunlight, fortified milk and margarine, eggs and butter, cod liver oil.
Vitamin E
Deficiency results in
anemla.
Source: Vegetable oils like soyabean oil and corn oil.
Vitamin K
Deficiency results in
excessive bleeding.
Source: Sunlight, fortified milk and margarine, eggs and butter, produced by the micro-flauna found in the large intestine.
Minerals consists of
calcium and
iron.
Calcium
Deficiency results in
rickets.
Source: Cereals, green vegetables, eggs and fruits.
Iron
Deficiency results in
anemla.
Source: Liver, meat, eggs and green vegetables.
Dietary fibre
Deficiency results in
constipation.