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N is for Nutrients

Nutrients are the substances in food that are essential for health, growth and well being. There are 6 main groups of nutrients that includes:

Carbohydrates (foods containing sugars, includes – breads, cereals, fruit legumes and sugar products)
Protein (animal based foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, yoghurt and legumes).
Fat (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated, includes – oils, butter, margarine, fat in all meats and chicken and dairy products)
Vitamins – (Fat soluble [A, D, E & K] and water soluble [B group, C] required in small amounts and found in varying quantities in foods.
Minerals – also required in small amounts and found in range of foods.
Water – naturally occurs in most foods, however additional intake is required.

ALL nutrients are required in varying amounts, however you can have too much of some such as:

saturated fat (found in animal based products such as meat, chicken, cheese, milk and other dairy products),
refined carbohydrates (foods such as sugar, softdrinks, lollies, white breads, biscuits and low fibre cereals),
fat soluble vitamins – supplements should only be taken following medical advice, /li>
Water – you can drink too much, but most persons should aim to drink 6-8 glasses of plain water each day.