The body makes energy by breaking down the essential macronutrients, carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Even alcohol provides energy.

• Carbohydrate: Grain, bread, potatoes, rice, corn, fruit, and sugar
• Protein: Meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy products, legumes (beans, peas and soy) and nuts
• Fats: Fat from meat, fish and eggs, plant oils, avocado , nuts, kernels, sees, and dairy products
• Alcohol: Does not provide nutrients and is an unnecessary source of energy

Different calculations show how much energy one can extract from 1 gram of carbohydrate, protein, or fat.
The energy amounts are specified in kJ (kilojoule) or the somewhat older term kcal (kilocalories)

• Most of the protein we consume is used to build muscle, skin, hair, and nails.
• Protein is also used in the energy turnover, to make hormones and antibodies, and it is also used as a transmitter in the nervous system.
• The daily need for protein varies depending on gender, muscle mass, metabolic rate, and the level and duration of physical activity.

According to the official recommendations, we should consume around 0.8 grams of protein for each kilo of body weight.
Your need for protein is increased if you have sensitive blood sugar, if you wish to lose weight, if you are pregnant or lactating, or if you are very sports-active.

Even though carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the brain, the muscles, and other organs, they often contribute to weight problems.

A diet with a lot of starchy foods like bread, pasta, grain, potatoes, and rice plus sugar and other refined foods causes your blood sugar to increase violently. The body’s cells get a lot of quick energy, and excess calories are then removed from the bloodstream and stored as fat – typically in the abdominal region.

Fructose, also known as fruit sugar, plays an overlooked role in the obesity epidemic, in elevated cholesterol, and in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Fructose is a carbohydrate that is found in fruit, honey, white sugar, cane sugar, and wine.

HFCS (high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup) has a very sweet flavor and is found in soft drinks, lemonade, breakfast cereals, ready meals, bread, cold cuts, ketchup, dressing, pizza, candy, cakes, coffee creamers etc. It pays off to read the food labels carefully to avoid this type of sugar.

Fats or lipids constitute an important source of energy that is especially useful for the muscles and the heart. They also help stabilize your blood sugar levels. The different fats have many other functions such as supporting cellular construction and the hormone system, immune system, and nervous system. The essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which we get from our diet, have a particularly important role.

Modern diets, unfortunately, contain too much omega-6 and/or too little omega-3, which may lead to an array of health issues – including weight problems.

Proper nutrition is based on the right balance between the energy-providing macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, and protein).

When this balance is in place, it is easier for the body to utilize the different micronutrients (such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements).

As we humans are all different with respect to our genetic makeup and lifestyle, we need to follow different guidelines. Sometimes it is necessary to experiment a little to see what feels right to eat and what provides the highest level of satiety.

Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients that we primarily get from our diet

They do not provide energy but are crucial to all the metabolic processes, the enzyme functions, and the state of the different tissues.

Vitamin B and vitamin C belong to the water-soluble vitamins. They are excreted in our sweat and urine and are very difficult to overdose on.

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are the lipid-soluble vitamins, which are primarily bound to oils and fats in the diet.