Basic nutrition question: What are fats for?

[ASusan]

Proteins provide the "building blocks," via amino acids. Carbohydrates provide the "fuel" via sugars. What do fats provide? What is the mechanism that they perform (and is there an associated metaphor)?


& another question - does your DC know what fats/proteins/carbs ARE? Do they know what foods contain these things? Do they know how much they need in a day? If they can answer these questions, at what age could they answer them?

[fruitfulmomma]

Building brain cells and some vitamins are fat-soluable.

Also it works to give you energy and help you feel fuller so that you don't overeat.

My children are 10 years and younger. We talk to them about the importance of eating whole foods, including lots of real fats. I don't really care if they know right now what types of foods do which jobs.

[CatsCradle]

Fats make up part of all body cells, protect your vital organs and help to maintain your body temperature. Without fats in your diet, you may begin to lose your hair, your skin will suffer and your nails will grow brittle. They provide us with our "sheen" so to speak, as well as provide protection to our many parts and concentrated energy.

My DD is 3.5 right now, and she can understand the difference between healthy food and junk. In fact, she is able to identify junk much faster than healthy food. We talk about food often so I hope that learning about what foods do what for your body will be learned at a natural progression.

[Rosehip]

The "plasma membrane" which is essentially a very flexible shell/wall around each & every cell, is made up of primarily of fats called phospholipids and also has a good deal of cholesterol in it, which interestingly helps dictate how flexible or firm the membrane is. I love the plasma membrane - I think it's fascinating. I'm a total geek.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_membrane

In short, lipids are absolutely critical for every cell in your body.

They also do punch a caloric punch, which from an evolutionary perspective was a good thing, but is generally a downside in our current society.