← Home Economics: Food & Nutrition syllabus

Northern IrelandHome Economics: Food & Nutrition

Food and Nutrition

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Where does food energy come from, and what decides how much we need?

Energy from food measured in kilocalories and kilojoules, the energy values of macronutrients, energy balance, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and physical activity level, and the factors that affect energy needs.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on energy, covering kilocalories and kilojoules, the energy values of carbohydrate, fat and protein, energy balance, basal metabolic rate and physical activity level, and the factors affecting energy needs.
8 min answer →

What are carbohydrates, where do we get them, and why does the body need them?

Carbohydrate as a macronutrient, sugars, starch and dietary fibre (NSP), their sources and functions, free and intrinsic sugars, and the effects of too much or too little carbohydrate.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on carbohydrates, covering sugars, starch and dietary fibre, their sources and functions, free versus intrinsic sugars, and the effects of eating too much or too little.
8 min answer →

What are fats, where do we get them, and why does the body need them?

Fat as a macronutrient, saturated and unsaturated fats, visible and invisible sources, the functions of fat, cholesterol, and the effects of too much or too little fat.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on fats, covering saturated and unsaturated fats, visible and invisible sources, the functions of fat in the body and in food, cholesterol, and the effects of eating too much or too little.
8 min answer →

What is protein, where do we get it, and why does the body need it?

Protein as a macronutrient, its sources, functions and structure, high and low biological value protein, protein complementation, and the effects of too much or too little protein.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on protein, covering its functions, animal and plant sources, high and low biological value protein, protein complementation, and the effects of deficiency and excess.
8 min answer →

What are minerals, and why do the body's small needs for them matter so much, along with water and fibre?

Minerals as micronutrients, calcium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, fluoride and iodine, their sources, functions and deficiencies, and the roles of water and dietary fibre in the diet.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on minerals, covering calcium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, fluoride and iodine with their sources, functions and deficiencies, plus the roles of water and dietary fibre in the diet.
8 min answer →

What are vitamins, which ones matter, and what do they do?

Vitamins as micronutrients, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and water-soluble vitamins B group and C, their sources, functions and deficiency diseases.
A focused CCEA GCSE Food and Nutrition answer on vitamins, covering the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and the water-soluble vitamins of the B group and vitamin C, with their sources, functions and deficiency diseases.
8 min answer →