WHAT IS IN THE FOOD?

At its heart, food is a mix of nutrients + energy + extras.

Let’s break it down:

🔑 1. Macronutrients (the big stuff you need in large amounts)

These give you energy (calories) and help build and repair your body:

• Carbohydrates
• Found in: bread, rice, fruits, pasta, sugar
• Used for: quick energy
• Broken down into: glucose
• Proteins
• Found in: meat, eggs, beans, dairy, tofu
• Used for: building muscles, enzymes, hormones
• Broken down into: amino acids
• Fats (lipids)
• Found in: oils, butter, nuts, fish
• Used for: long-term energy, brain health, hormones
• Broken down into: fatty acids and glycerol
• Water
• Found in: literally everything (even bread!)
• Used for: hydration, temperature control, transporting nutrients

💊 2. Micronutrients (small but mighty)

These don’t give energy, but your body needs them to function:

• Vitamins
• Like: A, B-complex, C, D, E, K
• Help with: immunity, vision, metabolism, blood clotting, etc.
• Minerals
• Like: calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc
• Help with: bone strength, oxygen transport, muscle function

🧬 3. Other Compounds (the "extras" in food)

• Fiber
• From: fruits, veggies, whole grains
• Helps digestion and gut health
• Phytonutrients / Antioxidants
• From: colorful plant foods
• Protect cells and reduce inflammation
• Enzymes
• Found in: raw or fermented foods
• Help break down food in your gut
• Additives (in processed food)
• Like: preservatives, colorings, flavorings
• Not essential, but they change taste/shelf life

⚡ And don’t forget: energy

• Measured in calories (kcal) — from carbs, proteins, and fats
• Your body uses it to fuel everything from thinking to walking

So in one bite of food, you might be getting:

Water + carbs + fats + proteins + vitamins + minerals + fiber + plant compounds = fuel + building blocks + health support.