Nutritional Elements of Food

by Wedding In The Sky on 04/07/2012 - 02:23 pm |

Food, clothing and shelter form the basic needs of man. The nutritional elements of food, which are essential for all the life processes, make food one of our basic needs. This is why 'food' comes first in the basic necessities of man! When we talk of food basics, we intend to express the body's requirement of food. Let us look at the nutritional elements of food and the roles they play in maintaining metabolism!

Carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber and water constitute the basic nutritional elements of food. They are categorized based on the amounts in which the body requires them. The nutrients required in relatively larger amounts by the body are classified as macronutrients. Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, water and fiber belong to this class of nutrients. Vitamins and minerals are required in comparatively smaller amounts and hence called micronutrients.

Nutritional Elements of Food

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the sources of energy. Carbohydrates give four Calories of energy per gram while one gram of fat gives nine Calories of energy. Molecules of carbohydrates and fats are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Proteins additionally contain nitrogen atoms. Foods contain some or all the nutrients in certain proportions. It is these nutritional elements of food that help maintain metabolism of the body and keep us healthy. Let us look at each of them in detail.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/food-basics-nutritional-elements-of-food.html