NUTRIENTS

1. SHARDA SCHOOL OF NURSING SCIENCE
AND RESEARCH
NUTRIENTS
PRESENTED BY:
M.C.KNIRANDA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SSNSR, SU.

2. INTRODUCTION
▶ There are seven main classes of nutrients that the body
needs. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins,
minerals, fibre and water. It is important that everyone
consumes these seven nutrients on a daily basis to help them
build their bodies and maintain their health. Deficiencies,
excesses and imbalances in diet can produce negative
impacts on health, which may lead to diseases.

3. DEFINITION
▶Nutrient- A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to
survive, grow, and reproduce.

4. CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRIENTS OR ELEMENTS
OF NUTRITION
MACRO NUTRIENTS
• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Proteins
• Water
• Fibre
MICRO NUTRIENTS
• Vitamins
• Minerals

5. 1. Macronutrients
2. “Macro” means large
3. These are nutrients which people need to eat regularly and
in a fairly large amount.
4. They include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fibre and water.
5. These substances are needed for the supply of energy and
growth, for metabolism and other body functions.

6. 1. CARBOHYDRATE
▶ Carbohydrates are referred to as energy-giving foods.
▶They provide energy in the form of calories that the body
needs to be able to work, and to support other functions.
▶They are the body’s main source of fuel because they are
easily converted into energy.
▶The main sources of carbohydrates are bread, wheat,
potatoes ,maize, rice, vegetables etc.

7. 2. PROTEINS
▶ Proteins are building blocks.
▶Proteins are needed in our diets for growth and to improve
immune functions.
▶They also play an important role in making essential
hormones and enzymes, in tissue repair etc.
▶ The main sources of proteins are meats, chicken, eggs,
breastmilk, beans, ground nuts, lentils, fish, cheese and
milk.

8. 3. FATS
▶ Fats and oils are concentrated sources of energy
▶ Fats can make meals more tasty and satisfying.
▶ Excessive fat consumption lead to cardiovascular disorders.
▶Fat is found in meat, chicken, milk products, butters,
creams, avocado, cooking oils, cheese, fish and ground
nuts.

9. 4. WATER
▶ Water is a clear fluid essential for life.
▶People can live without solid food for a few weeks, but we
cannot live without water for more than a few days.
▶ We need water for a number of reasons:
 Making fluids such as tears, digestive juices and
breastmilk.
 For keeping the lining of the mouth, intestine, eyelids and
lungs wet and healthy.
 For the production of urine

10. 5. FIBRE
▶ Fibre is a mixture of different carbohydrates which are
not digested like other nutrients but pass through the gut
nearly unchanged.
▶ Fibre makes food bulky or bigger
▶ Fibre makes the faeces soft and bulky; this can help prevent
constipation

11. II. Micronutrients
▶ ‘micro’means small
▶ Micronutrients are substances which people need in their
diet in only small amounts.
▶ These include minerals and vitamins.
▶Most foods are mixtures of nutrients( in 1 food more than 1
nutrient may be present)

12. 1. VITAMINS
▶Vitamins are groups of related substances present in small
amounts in foodstuffs and are necessary for the body to
function normally.
▶ Vitamins are also called protective foods.
▶ Vitamins are classified into two groups:
1) Fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) are
soluble in fats and fat solvents. They are insoluble in
water.
2) Water soluble vitamins (vitamins B and C) are soluble
in water and so they cannot be stored in the body.
▶The best sources of micronutrients in our diets are fruits and
vegetables.

13. 2. MINERALS
▶Minerals are the substances that need to ensure the health
and correct working of their soft tissues, fluids and their
skeleton.
▶ Examples of minerals include calcium, iron, iodine,
fluorine, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, and
sodium.

17. CONCLUSION
 Nutrients are molecules in food that all organisms need
to make energy, grow, develop, and reproduce.
 There are two main types of nutrients, macronutrients
and micronutrients.
 The three main categories of macronutrients include
carbohydrate, protein, and fat.
 The two types of micronutrients are vitamins and
minerals.
 Organic nutrients contain carbon chains but inorganic
nutrients do not contain carbon chains.
 Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are energy yielding
nutrients and vitamins, minerals and water are non
energy yielding nutrients.