The nutrients in food are: carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, vitamins, minerals and water.

When they talk about the nutritional value of foods refers to the amount of nutrients that can be found in its composition.

To make it easier to maintain adequate food nutrients should know, the function of each and how food can be found.

Calories

Food also provide the calories necessary to maintain activity. They are obtained through the processes that suffer the nutrients in the body.

There is a need to consume food calorie several times, but the amount depends on the energy expenditure to be made. Among the foods are calorie sugars.

Carbohydrates

They are also called carbohydrates or carbohydrate. They are one of the basic sources of energy. There is a need to consume several times throughout the day so as not to deplete reserves and the person is left without power.

These are foods rich in carbohydrates: cereals, bread, pasta, flour and potatoes. An excessive consumption can lead to problems such as obesity or increased cholesterol and triglycerides.

Lipids

Fats are together with carbohydrates the body's main source of energy, but also help maintain temperature and absorb certain vitamins. Fats can be classified into saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated fats are usually animal and presented in a solid, such as bacon, butter, or red meat. The unsaturated vegetable often come from agencies such as olive oil or margarine.

Both types of fats are necessary, but too much of the saturated harder to assimilate to the body, can cause health problems such as obesity.

Proteins

They are a major component of tissues in the human body. They may have an animal origin such as meat, fish and milk or vegetable such as nuts and soybeans.

Eating more of the necessary proteins in the body can cause wear, because to burn requires a greater effort and, in addition, after their removal can leave toxic residues.

Vitamins

Do not bring energy, but are needed for other substances that can be assimilated. Not required in large quantities, but the lack of any of them can have serious health problems.

There are vitamins in fresh foods, especially fruits and vegetablesThere are foods high in a certain vitamin, such as oranges in vitamin C. Some vitamins, consumed in large quantities can be toxic.

Minerals and water

They are minerals sodium, potassium and iron, among others. We need, for example, for the formation of tissues. Meat, eggs and lentils are rich in iron; However, shellfish and fish are rich in iodine.

Too much can cause poisoning or some other disorders. But in the absence of a mineral like calcium may appear diseases affecting the bones as osteoporosis.

Water

It is the main component of the body, as more than 70% of the fabrics are formed by it. It should be considered an essential part of food. Generally, it is recommended to drink two liters a day.

If little water to drink, the agency runs the risk of becoming dehydrated. The amount of water should be increased when temperatures are high or wear is much energy.

Remarks

One type of lipids are the omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6. The consumption of both is necessary, but always in moderation. They are rich in omega-3 fish blue and omega-6 in some vegetable oils.

It seems that consumption of both benefits as non-coagulation of the blood. This reduces the number of thrombosis or other diseases of the cardiovascular system.