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It seems like there are a lot of opinions that circulate through this board, I just thought I would type up some of these things I saw in this basic nutrition book that I got from the library. Just to remind us all, some hard truth instead of a bunch of opinions. Here is a little:
There are two main types of nutrients- macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Hardly any foods contain only one nutrient. Most unprocessed foods are complex mixtures, composed mainly of macronutrients in varying proportions, with tiny amounts of micronutrients.
Food also contains water and fiber, two vital substances that are sometimes considered macronutrients because the amount of them contained in foods is large relative to vitamins and minerals.
THE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS
MACRONUTRIENTS
Macronutrients are substances needed in substantial quantities by the body.
Carbohydrates, which include starches and sugars, are the primary energy sources.
Fats provide energy in a more concentrated form than carbohydrates. They also supply the essential fatty acids needed for growth, tissue repair, and the creation of chemical messengers (prostaglandins).
Proteins primarily provide materials (amino acids) for body growth and repair. Under certain conditions, proteins supply energy.
MICRONUTRIENTS
Micronutrients are substances needed in relatively small (or very small) quantities by the body.
Vitamins facilitate a variety of processes, including the production of energy inside body cells and the growth and division of cells. A total of 13 vitamins must be provided by the diet (some can be made in the body, but usually not in sufficient quantities).
Minerals are chemical elements, such as calcium and iron, required by the body for growth or to facilitate essential body processes. There are 16 minerals that must be provided by the diet.
The American Medical Association HOME MEDICAL LIBRARY Diet and Nutrition. Reader's Digest, 1991
There are two main types of nutrients- macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Hardly any foods contain only one nutrient. Most unprocessed foods are complex mixtures, composed mainly of macronutrients in varying proportions, with tiny amounts of micronutrients.
Food also contains water and fiber, two vital substances that are sometimes considered macronutrients because the amount of them contained in foods is large relative to vitamins and minerals.
THE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS
MACRONUTRIENTS
Macronutrients are substances needed in substantial quantities by the body.
Carbohydrates, which include starches and sugars, are the primary energy sources.
Fats provide energy in a more concentrated form than carbohydrates. They also supply the essential fatty acids needed for growth, tissue repair, and the creation of chemical messengers (prostaglandins).
Proteins primarily provide materials (amino acids) for body growth and repair. Under certain conditions, proteins supply energy.
MICRONUTRIENTS
Micronutrients are substances needed in relatively small (or very small) quantities by the body.
Vitamins facilitate a variety of processes, including the production of energy inside body cells and the growth and division of cells. A total of 13 vitamins must be provided by the diet (some can be made in the body, but usually not in sufficient quantities).
Minerals are chemical elements, such as calcium and iron, required by the body for growth or to facilitate essential body processes. There are 16 minerals that must be provided by the diet.
The American Medical Association HOME MEDICAL LIBRARY Diet and Nutrition. Reader's Digest, 1991
