PART TWO: Classes of

Nutrients
What are the key nutrients?
- Composition of food includes
the six nutrient classes:
o Water
o Carbohydrates
o Lipids
o Proteins
o Vitamins
o Minerals
- Food can also contain non-
nutrients and other compounds,
such as fibres,
phytochemicals, pigments,
additives, alcohols and others
PART TWO: Classes of NutrientsWhat are the key nutrients?- Composition of food includes the six
nutrient classes:o Watero Carbohydrateso Lipidso Proteinso Vitaminso Minerals- Food can also contain
non-nutrients and other compounds, such as fibres, phytochemicals, pigments, additives, alcohols and
others

Nutrients in Foods and the Body - Foods contain organic and inorganic compounds. o Organic
compounds: protein, carbohydrate, lipids and vitamins. o Inorganic compounds: minerals and water. -
Our bodies can derive all the energy, structural materials and regulating agents we need from the foods
we eat. - Chemical analysis of your body would show that it is made of materials similar to those found
in foods. (humans are pretty much food)- We are a collection of atoms, molecules, cells, tissues and
organs. There is truth in thesaying ‘you are what you eat’.- Cells die (either lost or broken down), new
cells are created.- Different cells have different lifespanso Oldest red blood cell is ~120 days, Intestinal
lining cellsare renewed every 3 dayso Skin is totally replaced every 7 years - Food replenishes bodily
requirements for structure and energy. - It is the nutrients found in food that makes this possible

The human body exhibits similar composition to foods- (not surprising since we are an animal and food
to other animals)- Water makes up two thirds of our body weight- Organic substances; protein, fat,
carbohydrates & vitamins makeup the bulk of the remaining body mass- Inorganic substance including
minerals, make up a tiny portiononly

Micronutrients (good stuff, what we need)- Vitamins and minerals do not provide energy and are known
as micronutrients because the body needs them in smaller quantities.- Vitamins are organic, essential
nutrients that allow the body to obtain energy from carbohydrate, fat and protein.- Minerals are
inorganic, essential nutrients that are found in the bones, teeth and body fluids. - Most foods contain a
mix of macro- and micronutrients.- Many food companies artificially put micronutrients into the
foodNOTE: Water is an indispensable and abundant essential nutrient that participates in many life
processes. Various authorities describe it as a micronutrient or a macronutrient. As it is need in large
supply each day (relatively) it should be referred to as a macronutrient – but non-energy yielding.NEED
TO KNOW:Energy from nutrients?- Non- energy yieldingo Minerals: are chemical elements that cannot
be changed, as they enter and leave the body in the same form, hence contribute no energy, e.g.:oo
Water (H2O)