Overview of Nutrition
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Nutrients are the constituents of food necessary to sustain the normal functions of the body.
Nutrition
OVERVIEW
Nutrients are the
constituents of food necessary to sustain the normal functions of the body. All
energy is provided by three classes of nutrients: fats, carbohydrates, and
protein, with ethanol providing calories in some diets (Figure 27.1). Because
the intake of these energy-rich molecules is larger than that of the other
dietary nutrients, they are called macronutrients. This chapter focuses on the
kinds and amounts of macronutrients that are needed to maintain optimal health
and prevent chronic disease in adults. Those nutrients needed in lesser
amounts, vitamins and minerals, are called micronutrients and are considered in
Chapter 28.
Figure 27.1 Essential
nutrients obtained from the diet. [Note: Ethanol is not considered an essential
component of the diet but may provide a significant contribution to the daily
caloric intake of some individuals.]
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