An Apple a Day

An Apple a Day, written by Katherine Scraper.

《一天一个苹果》，凯瑟琳·斯克雷珀 著

A snack, anyone? If you lived in prehistoric times, a snack might have meant nuts and seeds that you found in the forest. You might have picked wild berries and mushrooms. You might even have found a tasty insect to munch on. Now, you go to the cupboard, refrigerator, or even a vending machine for a snack. You can select from fruit, bread, cheese, or even soda and candy. Because there are so many choices, the study of food, nutrition, is more important than ever.

有人想来吃点小零食吗？ 如果你生活在史前时代，你的零食可能就是你在森林里找到的坚果和种子哦。 你可能还会摘野生的浆果和蘑菇吃。 你甚至还能找到美味的虫子大嚼一顿呢。 现在呢，你可以从橱柜、冰箱甚至自动售货机里买到零食。 你可以从水果、面包、奶酪，甚至汽水和糖果里挑选喜欢的。 正因为选择这么多，研究食物与营养的学问比以往更重要了。

Nutrients. A nutrient is any substance your body needs to live, stay healthy, and grow. All of the nutrients you need come from the foods you eat and liquids you drink. This is why it is very important to eat foods that contain the right kinds of nutrients. On the next few pages, you will find out about different kinds of nutrients, what they do for your body, and what foods you can eat to get them.

营养素 营养素就是你的身体维持生存、保持健康和生长发育所需要的所有物质哦。 你需要的所有营养素，都来自你吃的食物和喝的饮品。 所以吃含有合适营养素的食物非常重要哦。 接下来几页，我们会认识不同种类的营养素，了解它们对身体的作用，还有哪些食物能提供它们。

What is a protein? Proteins make up the building blocks of your body, helping build and repair cells. Proteins are especially important for strong muscles. Foods that contain protein include meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and some grains.

什么是蛋白质呀？ 蛋白质是身体的“建筑砖块”，帮助我们构建和修复细胞。 蛋白质对练就强壮的肌肉尤其重要哦。 富含蛋白质的食物有肉类、鱼类、蛋类、乳制品、豆类、坚果和部分谷物。

What is a carbohydrate? Carbohydrates are the nutrients your body uses to make energy. Some carbohydrates are especially good for you because they give you energy over a long period of time. These are found in foods such as vegetables, many fruits, oatmeal, whole grains, and whole grain bread. Other carbohydrates, called sugars, create an energy flood followed by an energy crash, which is stressful to your body. These not -so -good carbohydrates include the sweet sugars in candy and the starches in cakes, cookies, white potatoes, bagels, and many breads.

什么是碳水化合物呀？ 碳水化合物是你的身体用来制造能量的营养素哦。 有些碳水化合物对身体特别好，因为它们能在很长一段时间里给你提供能量。 这类碳水化合物存在于蔬菜、多种水果、燕麦、全谷物和全麦面包这些食物中。 还有一类碳水化合物叫做糖，它们会让你能量先猛涨然后骤降，这会给你的身体带来负担。 这些没那么健康的碳水，包括糖果里的甜糖，还有蛋糕、饼干、白土豆、贝果和很多面包里的淀粉。

What is a fat? Another nutrient your body needs is fat. Fats have gotten a bad rap, but they are essential for building cells, absorbing certain vitamins, and storing extra energy. Fats occur as animal fats in meat and cheese, and vegetable fats in olive oil, nuts, and seeds. Some fats are better for you than others. Vegetable fats from nuts and seeds better than animal fats from meat and butter. Fats called trans fats are processed fats in pre -made foods such as snacks, cheese products, fried foods, and desserts. They are often called hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Studies have shown that these fats are not good for the body.

什么是脂肪呀？ 脂肪是你的身体必需的另一种营养素。 脂肪一直名声不好，但其实它们对构建细胞、吸收特定维生素、储存多余能量来说必不可少哦。 脂肪分为肉类和奶酪中的动物脂肪，还有橄榄油、坚果和种子中的植物脂肪。 有些脂肪比另一些更有益健康哦。 坚果和种子中的植物脂肪比肉类和黄油中的动物脂肪更健康。 还有一种叫做反式脂肪的脂肪，是预加工食物（比如零食、芝士制品、油炸食品和甜点）里的加工脂肪。 它们也常被叫做氢化油或者部分氢化油。 研究已经证明这类脂肪对身体没有好处哦。