Macronutrients and Micronutrients
What are Macronutrients?
Macronutrients are water, carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Macro means large. The body needs large amounts of water, carbohydrates, fats, and protein, so they are named macronutrients.
​
Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are also called energy-yielding nutrients. Energy-yielding nutrients are the nutrients that can be burned as fuel to provide energy for the body. Carbohydrates, fats, and protein can be burned to give kilocalories; therefore, they are energy-yielding nutrients.
​
Macronutrients:
-
Carbohydrate
-
Protein
-
Fat
-
Water
​
Energy yielding nutrients:
-
Carbohydrate
-
Protein
-
Fat
What are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients are essential nutrients required by the body in smaller quantities compared to macronutrients.
They include:
1. Vitamins: Organic compounds necessary for various bodily functions.
2. Minerals: Inorganic elements needed for structural and functional purposes.
Micronutrients are crucial for:
-
Immune function
-
Brain function
-
Energy production
​
Macronutrients are the powerhouse of energy, while micronutrients, despite not directly providing energy, play a vital role in driving metabolic processes and maintaining overall health. While needed in smaller amounts, deficiencies in micronutrients can lead to significant health issues.
The Six Groups of Nutrients
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source. Carbohydrates are a large class of nutrients, including starches, fibers, and sugar.
​
Fats: Fats are also called lipids. Fats are a group of fatty substances, including triglycerides and cholesterol, that are not soluble in water and produce rich energy sources and structural-building substances in the body's cells.
​
Proteins: Proteins are a group of nutrients that are the major structural part of the body's cells and are found in large quantities in animal foods.
​
Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins and Minerals provide no calories. They are found in a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Vitamins and minerals are essential in small amounts to maintain the body, regulate body processes, and allow for the body's growth and reproduction.
​
Water: Water is the most vital nutrient that plays a role in all bodily processes and makes up just over half of the body weight.
Macronutrients and Micronutrients
The six groups of nutrients can be further classified into two major categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are the nutrients we need in large amounts daily.
Carbohydrates, fat, and protein are the macronutrients that provide the human body with calories or energy; therefore, they are also referred to as energy-yielding nutrients.
Equally important, water is a macronutrient. Water is a vital macronutrient. Our bodies need water to stay healthy, and about 60% of our body weight is water. Water does not provide calories to the body.
However, water is a crucial nutrient for all body cells and tissues to function properly. We will talk about water in further detail in the following chapters.
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Our bodies require vitamins and minerals in small amounts.
Macronutrients:
-
Water
-
Carbs
-
Protein
-
Minerals
Micronutrients
-
Vitamins
-
Minerals