Understand the term Nutrient

Nutrients are those substances found in food that helps to maintain the body and provide energy to carry out different bodily functions like help build cells and tissues, regulate bodily processes such as breathing but we need to understand that no single food supplies all the nutrients the body needs to function.

Types of nutrients

• Macro-nutrients
• Micro-nutrients

Macro-Nutrients – essential for human survival and growth and also required in higher amounts by the body

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats
• Water

Micro-Nutrients – essential for growth and enhance the function and usability of macro-nutrients but required in lesser amount as compare to macro-nutrients

• Vitamins
• Minerals

Nutrients that have Calories:

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats

Calories per gram

• 1 gram carbohydrates = 4 calories
• 1 gram proteins = 4 calories
• 1 gram fats = 9 calories