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2.2: Essential Nutrients

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    Nutrition can be defined as the science of food, beverages, and their components in biological systems. A nutrient is a compound that provides a needed function in the body. Nutrients can be further classified based on the amount needed in the body.

    Essential Nutrients

    The six Essential Nutrients are the nutrients that our bodies need in order to survive. They can be broken into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Throughout this class we will go into more detail about each of the essential nutrients.

    Macronutrients are nutrients needed in larger amounts.  There are four macronutrients which include:

    • carbohydrates
    • lipids
    • protein
    • water

    Micronutrients are nutrients needed in smaller amounts, but they are still considered essential. There are two groups of micronutrients which are:

    • vitamins
    • minerals

    Carbohydrates

    Carbohydrates are the primary form of energy. The name carbohydrate means “hydrated carbon” or carbon with water. Thus, it isn’t a surprise that carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Sucrose (table sugar) is an example of a commonly consumed carbohydrate. Some dietary examples of carbohydrates are whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, rice, sugary snacks/drinks, and pasta.

    Grains, such as those in this whole wheat bread, are carbohydrates.
    Grains, such as those in this whole wheat bread, are carbohydrates.

    Lipids (Fats)

    Lipids consist of fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols (i.e. cholesterol). Lipids are also composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some dietary sources of lipids include oils, butter, and egg yolks.

    Melting Butter in a pan.
    Butter is a food source of lipids.

    Proteins

    Proteins are also made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but they also contain nitrogen. Several dietary sources of proteins include nuts, beans/legumes, skim milk, egg whites, and meat.

    Fried egg in pan
    Eggs are a source of protein.

    Water

    Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O) and is the only macronutrient that doesn’t provide energy.

    Glass of Water
    Thirsty? There is a reason.

    Vitamins

    Vitamins are compounds that are essential for normal physiologic processes in the body.

    Orange Slice
    Oranges are a food source for Vitamin C.

    Minerals

    Minerals are elements (think periodic table) that are essential for normal physiologic processes in the body.

    Spilled salt
    Table salt is a food source for sodium, a mineral.
    CC licensed content, Original
    CC licensed content, Shared previously
    • The Kansas State University Human Nutrition (HN 400) Flexbook. Authored by: Brian L. Lindshield and Koushik Adhikari. Provided by: Kansas State University. Located at: http://krex.ksu.edu. License: CC BY: Attribution
    CC licensed content, Specific attribution

    2.2: Essential Nutrients is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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