Nutritive and Dietetic Value of Fats, Spreads and Oils (Junior Cert Home Economics): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
Nutritive and Dietetic Value of Fats, Spreads and Oils
Nutritive Value (What's in it?)
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Nutritive Value: Focuses on the nutrients fats, spreads and oils provide (e.g., fats, minerals).
- No Protein or Carbohydrates: Fats, spreads, and oils do not contain protein or carbs.
- Types of Fat:
- Animal Fats are usually saturated (e.g., butter).
- Marine and Plant Fats are generally unsaturated (e.g., olive oil, fish oil).
- Minerals: Most have minimal mineral content, though some contain trace amounts of calcium.
- Vitamins:
- Butter and other dairy spreads contain small amounts of vitamins A and D.
- Margarines and fortified spreads may have added vitamins A and D.
- Water Content:
- Oils have very little water (about 0.1%).
- Low-fat spreads have higher water content (up to 58%).
Dietetic Value (Why They're Good for You)
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Dietetic Value: Focuses on how fats, spreads and oils fit into specific diets (e.g., low cholesterol, high calorie).
- Limit Intake: Fat intake should be limited across all age groups due to its high-calorie content.
- Low-Cholesterol Diets:
- Saturated Fats should be limited by those following low-cholesterol diets.
- Functional Spreads (e.g., Flora ProActiv, Benecol) help reduce cholesterol by preventing its absorption into the bloodstream.
- Heart and Brain Health:
- Marine Oils (like cod liver oil) support heart health and help brain development in babies during pregnancy.