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You are probably used to thinking of food in terms of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.

A calorie is a unit of energy that is given off by a certain amount of food when it is burned or used for energy by your body.

Carbohydrates fuel your body with the energy it needs throughout the day and night. Next to fats, carbs are the most misunderstood part of our diet.

You need to understand their function in order to use them efficiently. Carbohydrates are divided into two groups: starches and sugars. Starches provide the complex carbohydrates which release a steady source of energy into your system. They satisfy your hunger far longer than the simple sugars found in sweets, cakes, cookies and so on. Potatoes, brown pasta and wholewheat breads are typical sources of complex carbohydrates.

Proteins, found in meat, dairy products, legumes (peas, beans) and vegetables are important tissue-builders. While your body can use protein as an energy source, its prime function is to rebuild tissues and cells.

Fats, such as butter, margarine and oils, are another important energy source. Your body stores fat as an emergency supply for those times when you have used up your carbohydrate fuel.

Vitamins and minerals are essential to life. They contribute to good health by regulating the metabolism (energy you release from food) and working with enzymes – essential chemicals that are the foundation of all human bodily functions – to allow the activities that occur within your body to be carried out. They are called micronutrients because the body needs them in relatively small amounts compared with other nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. You can get all the vitamins and minerals you need for survival from fresh, healthful foods and sunlight, but you may need to boost with supplements to stay in the best of health for the long term.