Nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals

Carbohydrate

• are substances that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are used in the body to produce energy. They include sugars and starches. Carbohydrates are usually obtained from plant sources
  • cereals,starchy roots,legumes (pulses),vegetables and Fruits,sugars, preserves and syrups
• None-digestible carbohydrate (Fibre)
  • Fibre, or roughage, refers to the non-digestible carbohydrates in vegetables and to a lesser extent in fruit. Fibre may actually be 'fibrous', as in celery, or may be a powder, or, when mixed with water in the intestines, a jelly.

Protein

• Proteins are composed, like carbohydrates, of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, but with nitrogen. They may also contain sulphur and phosphorus. They are complex molecules composed of amino acids.
  • Proteins are used by the body to: enable growth, development and repair. build structures such as muscles, tissues and organs, including the heart, lungs, digestive organs. enzymes, such as those required for digestion. hormones, such as those for the endocrine glands.

Fat

• Fats are substances that are not soluble in water. They are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Fats are also called lipids. Sources of fat include animal meat, fish, and vegetable oils
  • In every cell structure. Especially to build nerves and brain. The brain is 40% fat. To insulate the body. To produce sex hormones and adrenal cortex hormone To produce cholesterol (essential for cell membranes and bile salts, for example). To absorb certain vitamins (A, D, E, and K). To store energy.

Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamins are substances that are required in the diet for health and wellbeing. They are often grouped as fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E and K. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamins C and B.
• Minerals are non-organic substances that are required in the diet. While only small amounts of minerals are required in our diet, they are critical in building bones and teeth, regulating heartbeat and transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.