5 Major Nutrients

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body.  Some of the carbohydrates are monosaccharides and disssacharides.  Simple carbohydrates do not need to be broken down while complex carbohydrates do .  Some food that are high in carbohydrates include breads, pastas and cereals.  Fats are formed from fatty acids and glycerol.  The body may use the fatty acids to produce cell membranes and myelin sheaths.  They help protect the organs and keeps your body warm.  Some fats can be considered saturated and unsaturated.  Examples of fat foods are butter and oil.  Proteins help raw materials grow and fix the skin and muscles when hurt.  An example of a protein is hemoglobin which is found in red blood cells that transport the oxygen in blood.  Foods that are rich in proteins are meat and beans.  Vitamins are organic molecules that aid in regulating the body and work with the enzymes.  The two types of vitamins are fat - soluble and water - soluble.  Some examples of vitamins include Vitamin C and Vitamin K.  Minerals are inorganic nutrients the body needs but in little amount.  Calcium and iron are some examples of vitamins that the body needs. (all pics from google images and information from biology book prentice hall: student edition)