Food Groups and Types of Nutrients

• Carbohydrates are found most in starchy foods like bread, pasta, and potatoes, as well as in fruits and vegetables.
• The main reason we need carbohydrates is as an energy source, providing us with most of the energy we need to carry out chemical reactions and move around.
• Lipids, also known as fats, are found in oily fish, nuts, seeds, dairy products, and avocados.
• The main role of lipids is to provide energy, but they also act as a longer-term store of energy because we can store lots of fat for use later.
• Lipids also do other useful things like keeping us warm by insulating us and protecting our organs.
• Proteins are found in nuts, seeds, meat, fish, and legumes like lentils and beans.
• Proteins can be thought of as building blocks, as we need them to grow and to repair damaged tissue.
• Proteins can also be used for energy, but only really in emergencies if we don't have enough carbohydrates or lipids.
• Vitamins are organic molecules made by living organisms, while minerals are inorganic molecules.
• Both vitamins and minerals are needed in very small amounts.
• Vitamin A can be gained from foods like liver or leafy vegetables and is needed for good vision and to keep the skin and hair healthy.
• Vitamin C can be obtained from fruit and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits like oranges, and is needed to prevent scurvy.
• Vitamin D can be produced by the body itself using sunlight, but it can also be obtained in foods like eggs and oily fish, and its main purpose is to help you absorb calcium.
• Calcium is a mineral that can be found in dairy products like milk and leafy vegetables, and is needed for strong bones.
• Iron is a component of hemoglobin which helps red blood cells transport oxygen around the body, and if you don't get enough iron, you can develop a condition called anemia where you can't transport as much oxygen to your tissues anymore.
• Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is not absorbed into the body, and is found in wholemeal foods like wholemeal bread and brown rice as well as in fruits and vegetables, helping food move through the intestines properly.
• Water is normal water that can be obtained from drinks and foods like oranges and strawberries, and is needed for various bodily functions including chemical reactions.
• Most of our body is made of water, and we're continuously losing water by breathing, sweating, and urinating, so we're constantly having to replace it.