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Categories of
Nutrients
To achieve an adequate nutrition, our bodies need
nutrients from the following categories:
Calories
A Calorie is defined as the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one Kilogram of water by one
degree Celsius. When using up the caloric value of the food we have eaten, we are burning calories. The amount
of calories per gram resulting from foods we eat is different for the different nutrients as follows:
| Proteins: |
4 calories per 1 gram consumed |
| Carbohydrates: |
4 calories per 1 gram consumed |
| Fats: |
9 calories per 1 gram consumed |
It can easily be seen that fats yield more calories per one
gram consumed than proteins or carbohydrates. Hence, we should all try to fuel our bodies with energy from
proteins and carbohydrates more frequently than from fats.
Juice Heaven™ smoothies and freshly squeezed juices are low in fat and are an excellent source of Vitamins,
Minerals, Proteins, and Carbohydrates. For nutritional summary of our smoothies, please click on
Nutritional
Information.
Vitamins
Vitamins are chemical compounds necessary for growth, health, normal metabolic functioning and physical well
being of the body. Vitamins do not provide energy and cannot maintain a healthy body without the presence of
other nutrients. Vitamins that are present in food are considered natural and ones that are created in
laboratories are considered synthetic. Whether natural or synthetic, a vitamin is a vitamin and there is no difference
in the vitamin molecule no matter what its source. Vitamins have been divided into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body. If you take excess amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, they
accumulate to provide needed amounts at later time.
However, too much of any fat-soluble vitamin is not
recommended.
Water-soluble vitamins can not be stored in the body to any great extent. The daily amount you need must be
provided by what you eat or drink each day or two.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic chemical elements not attached to a carbon atom and many are essential parts of enzymes.
Minerals participate in biochemical processes and in
regulating physiological functions such as transporting oxygen to each of the body’s cells, providing the stimulus
for muscles contract, and guaranteeing normal function of the central nervous system. Minerals are required for
growth, maintenance, repair and health of tissues and bones.
Proteins
Protein is used by the body to protect, preserve, and repair cells, build muscle tissue, avoid blood clotting,
enhance enzyme production and regulate the nervous system. Amino Acids, the “building blocks” of protein,
have been divided into two categories: essential and non-essential depending on whether our bodies make or need
to consume them.
Carbohydrates
Our bodies use Carbohydrates as a source of energy.
Carbohydrates have been divided into two categories:
simple sugars and complex carbohydrates. Simple sugars found in fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins,
minerals and fiber. Complex carbohydrates consist of simple sugars and other complex carbohydrates.
Fats
All cells are composed of fat. Fats help the body in the formation of cell membranes, enhancing its immune
system, and the transferring of fat-soluble vitamins. One gram of fat we eat results in nine calories as compared to
4 calories per one gram of proteins or carbohydrates.
Hence, we should all try to fuel our bodies with energy from proteins and carbohydrates more frequently than
from fats. The American Heart Association recommends limiting fat to 30% of the total calories consumed to avoid
heart disease.
National Research Council, Recommended Dietary
Allowance, 10th Edition, 1989
Griffith H. Winter, M.D.: Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements, 1988
Stephen Blauer foreword by Dr. Bernard Jensen: The Juicing Book,
1989
Disclaimer: Please
consult your physician to confirm
the validity of the above information.
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