Types of Macronutrients

Food is any material consumed to give nutrition to organisms. In the diet, food is generally of animal, plant or fungal source, and generally contains vital nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or iron, or other important nutrients that are not consumed in other sources. The major food groups are carbohydrate, protein, vegetable, fruit, grain and dairy products.

There are several types of macronutrients. These include energy, protein, mineral, carotenoids, dietary fiber, potassium, micronutrients, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. The energy comes from carbohydrates, which are the main source of glucose, and is used to do physical work such as muscle contraction, and is the main source of the calories we consume. Protein is used mainly for building and repairing body tissues; however, some protein is also used as a source of energy. Mineral macronutrients include sodium, which are found in most fruits and vegetables and in whole grains; potassium, which are found in fruits and vegetables, meats and milk; and calcium, which are found in milk, meats, and nuts.

A food source’s quality is influenced by its carbohydrate, fat, protein, and micronutrient content. In terms of carbohydrate, the most commonly consumed type is starch, which is mostly found in vegetables, legumes, and whole grains; whereas protein is found mostly in animal products, poultry, fish, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Fat is found in all foods, but in varying amounts. Macronutrients determine the amount of nutrient in an individual receives from a food.