Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: An overview of nutrition -- Planning a healthy diet -- Digestion, absorption and transport -- The carbohydrates: sugars, starches and fibers -- The lipids: triglycerides, phospholipids and sterols -- Protein: amino acids -- Metabolism: transformations and interactions -- Energy balance and body composition -- Weight control: overweight and underweight -- The water-soluble vitamins: B Vitamins and Vitamin C -- The fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K -- Water and the major minerals -- The trace minerals -- Fitness: physical activity, nutrients and body adaptations -- Life cycle nutrition: pregnancy and lactation -- Life cycle nutrition: infancy, childhood and adolescence -- Life cycle nutrition: adulthood and the later years -- Diet and health -- Consumer concerns about foods -- Hunger and global environmental problems --