Nutrients

There are 3 types of nutrients

Nutrients that give energy
Nutrients that build and repair
Nutrients that regulate and protect

Nutrients that give energy
Your body uses energy all the time! It is like the fuel for your body - just like a car needs fuel to move, your body needs food. Carbohydrates, protein and fat are the nutrients that provide energy.

Nutrients that build and repair
Did you know that your body is made up of millions of cells? These cells function the same way as the bricks in a house…they build! You need different types of nutrients to help you build different parts of your body…like…

Your muscles need protein. Strong bones and teeth need minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and phosphorous

Nutrients that regulate and protect
Your body has soldiers that protect and keep it healthy. These are called…vitamins. There are many types of vitamins, like vitamin A, B or C, each with a different function!

Each food group provides you with different types of nutrients, that is why you need to eat a balanced diet everyday!

Check out the chart below to see which nutrients are found in food.

Nutrient	Function	Where is it found?
Carbohydrates	Nutrient that give energy like cars need fuel to move, you need energy to do your daily activities!	Starch Vegetables and fruit Dairy Meat alternatives Fats and sugars
Protein	Nutrients that build and repair Protein is the building blocks of your body	Dairy Starch Meat
Fat	Nutrient that gives energy Like cars need fuel to move, you need energy to do your daily activities!	Fats and sugar Dairy
Vitamins	Nutrient that regulates and protects Your body has soldiers called antibodies	Vegetables and fruit Dairy Starch Meat and meat alternatives Fats and sugars
Minerals	Nutrient that builds and repairs Calcium is the one the most important nutrients for building strong bones. Nutrient that regulates and protects. Iron helps transport oxygen around your body.	Dairy Vegetables and fruit Starch Meat and meat alternatives