We are encouraged to eat a rainbow of coloured fruits and vegetables. This way you eat a range of vitamins and minerals.
Micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables
Vitamins
Vitamin A is found in orange coloured fruits
Vitamin C
Calcium
Potassium
Author: Jenny Ridgwell
What is a Hypothesis?
These are definitions taken from GCSE Science which are very useful to use for Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE NEA 1
A Hypothesis is
- A statement which may be proved or disproved.
- A prediction backed up with a scientific reason saying why you think the prediction is correct.
You are
- Predicting what the outcomes of experiments will be.
- Using food science words to explain the prediction.
- Investigating how ingredients work and why.
- Writing what you think will happen in the Investigation
My views on Food Science Investigations
Students have 8-10 hours for the Investigation – see Exam board requirements.
I have given a spectrum of ideas that can be explored, but there is much more science that can be discovered.
Higher levels for the science investigation are required for the top grades.
The Book and the Powerpoint show realistic Investigations that can be carried out for GCSE within the limits of the school food room.
I’ve chosen foods for investigations that are not expensive, as experiments can fail and food must be thrown away – a mixed message on food waste.
So there are challenges ahead!
Good luck with the Investigations. Jenny Ridgwell
Polish foods added to Nutrition Program database
Schools with Polish students have asked for ingredients to be added, so we included a few! Please help us add more.
Prymat breadcrumbs, Kucharek vegetable seasoning.
Nutrient Requirement terms on Nutrition Program
These are abbreviations (acronyms) for Nutrition Requirement and the maths behind the RIs used on the Program
The ones we are using:
- Energy EAR Reference Intake RI for food labelling 8400kJ 2000kcal
- Protein RI Reference Intake RI for food labelling 50g
- Carbohydrates DRV Total carbohydrates 50% daily food energy Reference Intake RI for food labelling 260g
- Total sugars Reference Intake RI for food labelling 90g
- Fat DRV not more than 35% daily food energy Reference Intake RI for food labelling 70g
- Saturated fat DRV not more than 11% daily food energy Reference Intake RI for food labelling 20g
- Fibre RI Recommended Intake up to 30g day
- Salt RNI Reference Intake RI for food labelling 6g
- RNI for vitamins and minerals now NRV on food label
NRV is a guideline of the minimum amount of a particular vitamin or mineral required by the average person to stay healthy
NRV minerals
NRV Vitamins
Genetically Modified maize – for the popcorn lesson
Genetically modified maize was grown for the first time in the US and Canada in 1997.
Is it GM?
Maize is the only GM crop that is commercially grown in the EU. It’s used for feeding livestock and for the starch industry.
GM maize has insect resistance and herbicide tolerance.Now, about 80 per cent of the maize produced in the US is genetically modified.
GM EU maize is resistant to the corn borer which chews through maize stalks so the plant tips over.
EU GM maize cannot be mixed with conventional maize and food and feed made from GM maize must be labelled.
Maize starch is used for corn syrup, glucose and dextrose, modified starch and sugar substitutes.
GM crops enter Britain mainly as animal feed. There is no commercial growing, but there have been experimental trials of GM potatoes, wheat and flax.
GM Maize is suitable for England.
Organic food has to be GM free.
A reported 70% of US supermarket processed food contains GM.
Do UK supermarkets sell GM foods? Difficult to know – by EU law it should be on the label.
Waitrose No food is genetically modified. Popcorn lovers day
The Nutrition Program Blog 