Nutrients are the substances that provide nourishments to the body for it to grow strong and maintain life.
Carbohydrates (CHO)
Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are macro-nutrient that provides energy for the body; the energy gives our cell which helps our oxygen and nutrients to function when we sleep.
1. Different Types
There are two types of carbohydrates, the simple and complex carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates These are made up of a single basic sugar. Simple carbohydrates provide the sweet taste in our food. Fruit sugar, table sugar, corn sugar or are all types of simple sugars. Complex carbohydrates (starch and fibre) are made up of lots of sugar molecules joined together. This type of carbohydrate takes some time to digest. Found in foods like whole grain cereals, wholemeal breads, wholemeal flour, and wholemeal pasta, beans, brown rice and even bananas.
2. Benefits to the body Carbohydrates main purpose is to provide energy for the body. After the glucose has been produced, it will then travel with the oxygen into the bloodstream to produce carbon dioxide + water + ATP and to provide energy into the body.
Proteins (CHON) 1. Characteristics
Proteins are made up of amino acids and it is a macro-nutrient. It helps the body to grow and repair, it is mostly important for infants and children and people who are ill or injured. Proteins can be found in meat, fish, and some vegetables.
2. Different Types
Protein contains nitrogen which makes it a vital nutrient. They are made of different combinations of 20 amino acids it is a macro-nutrient. Example of different amino acids are the carbon atom to which the amino group attaches is separated from the carboxylate group by two other carbon atoms. The various alpha-amino acids differ in which side-chain (R-group) is attached to their alpha carbon, and can vary in size from just one hydrogen atom in glycine to a large heterocyclic