Six Essential
Nutrients
What is Nutrition?
 The Study of nutrients and how the body
uses them.
So what is a nutrient?
 Substances that are important for the
body’s growth and maintenance.
 Nutrients are found in the foods we eat.
 We need to eat a variety of foods
because one food does not have all the
nutrients.
There are 6 essential nutrients…
 How Can we remember all 6?
 Make a sentence! Just like “Please Excuse
My Dear Aunt Sally” in math 
 Can Fanny Play Violin Much Worse?
(Carbohydrates, Fats, Protein, Vitamins, Minderals, Water)
Carbohydrates
 The body’s main source of energy;
provide calories
 Two types: simple (sugars) & complex
(starches)
 Simple: Crash & Burn Effect—comes
from sugars—candy, soda, doughnuts
 Complex: Long term energy---comes
from foods like pasta, bread, starchy
vegetables like peas & potatoes
Carbohydrates Continued
 Choose low sugar and healthy starches
 Fiber is a special type of carbohydrate.
 Comes from plant sources only-- such as
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
 Cannot be digested but aids in digestion
by helping to eliminate waste
products from the body.
Fats
 Used to store energy; carries vitamins around
the body; provide calories
 Fats store energy & form cell membranes
 Insulated body & Protect organs
 Fats are solid at room temperature & Liquids
are referred to as oils.
 Types of fat include: saturated, unsaturated,
trans-fat and cholesterol
 Omega’s are good fats
Fats
 Food Sources
 Saturated Fat-meat, poultry, egg yolks,
whole milk dairy products
 Unsaturated Fat-vegetable/olive/nut oil,
avocados, salmon, walnuts
 Trans Fat-stick margarine, french fries,
doughnuts, fried foods, salad dressings
Proteins
 Builds, repairs, and maintains muscles and
body tissue; provides calories
 Your skin, hair, blood, muscles and vital organs
are made of proteins.
 Made up of amino acids.
 Protein sources: Plant (incomplete) & Animal
(complete)
 Plant sources: Beans, Soy, Lentils
 Animals sources: Beef, Pork, Fish, Eggs,
Cheese, Poultry
Vitamins
 Are substances needed in small amounts to
help regulate body functions.
 They help your body use other nutrients, store
and use energy and fight infection.
 Examples include vitamin A, B, C, D, E & K
 Vitamin C-helps heal wounds and keeps teeth/gums
healthy
Vitamins Continued
 Some vitamins are fat soluble-absorbed
with the help of fats
 Some vitamins are water soluble-dissolve
in water and easily pass out of body as
waste.
Vitamins Continued
 Food sources
 Spinach, kale, yellow/red/green peppers,
oranges, cantaloupe, carrots, milk, cheese,
whole grains, dry beans and peas, peanut
butter, eggs, liver, strawberries, broccoli
Minerals
 Main function is to control important chemical
reactions in the body.
 Needed in small amounts to help keep bones
strong, teeth healthy, blood healthy.
 Your body needs 17 minerals daily
 Sodium-linked to high blood pressure
 Come from earth’s crust—examples are iron,
calcium, and iodine (iron & calcium are
included on nutrition facts label)
Minerals Continued
 Food Sources
 Milk, spinach, kale, sardines, whole grains,
meat, poultry, liver, nuts, dried fruits,
oranges, bananas, peanut butter
Water
 Necessary for survival
 Water keeps us hydrated
 Water helps move foods and nutrients
through our bodies; aids in digestion
 Need approximately 64 oz. daily.
 Sources: fruits, veggies, soups, juices, &
dairy products, clear broth