Classification of Nutrients

According to their chemical nature

Nutrients are organic and inorganic compounds in foods and, according to their chemical nature, are classified into the following types of substances:

       Protein

       Carbohydrates

       Lipids

       Vitamins

       Mineral salts

       Water

Nutrients are normally obtained by the ingestion of foods. Organic nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins or amino acids, lipids, and vitamins. Inorganic nutrients include minerals. Water is sometimes included in a listing of nutrients

Nutritional Classification of Foods

The different groups of foods may be broadly classified under three heads from the nutritional point of view.

       Energy-yielding foods;

       Body- building foods and

       Protective foods.

Energy Yielding Foods

The group includes foods rich in carbohydrates and also fats. They may be broadly divided into two groups:

       Cereals, roots and tubers and

       Carbohydrates and Fats.

Cereals provide, in addition to energy the greater part of the proteins, certain minerals and vitamins in the deits of the low income groups in the developing countries. Roots and tubers also provide some amounts of proteins, minerals and vitamins while pure carbohydrates and fats provide only energy.

Body Building Foods

Foods rich in proteins are called body building foods. These may be broadly divided into two groups:

       Milk, egg and fish rich in proteins of high biological value and

       Pulses, oilseeds and nuts and low fat oilseed flours rich in proteins of medium nutritive   value.

Protective Foods

Foods rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals are termed protective foods. Protective foods are broadly classified into two groups:

       Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins of high biological value e.g.., milk, egg, fish and liver and

       Foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals only e.g., green leafy vegetables and some fruits.

Depending on the importance

In terms of participation in metabolic reactions of the organism as a whole, the nutrients can be:

       Nonessential Nutrients: Nonessential Nutrients which are not vital to the body and that, under certain conditions, are synthesized via precursor molecules (usually essential nutrients). Therefore, the body does not need regular intake of such a condition to obtain the precursors of their environment. These are produced by the body's metabolism.

       Essential nutrients: Essential nutrients are those that are vital to the agency as you can not synthesize. That is, are substances that are so indispensable to obtain the environment. For humans, these include essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, some vitamins and certain minerals. Oxygen and water are also essential for human survival, but usually not considered as nutrients when consumed in isolation.

Humans can get energy from a variety of fats, carbohydrates, proteins and ethanol and other compounds can be synthesized (eg, certain amino acids) from essential nutrients.

The nutrients have a significant role on health, whether beneficial or toxic. For example, sodium is a nutrient that is involved in water balance processes when provided in adequate amounts. But his excessive intake in the diet can promote hypertension.

According to its mass

Depending on the quantity necessary for cells and organisms are classified as:

  Macronutrients are required in large quantities daily (usually in the order of grams). These nutrients are involved as substrates in metabolic processes for energy. These include proteins,  carbohydrates and fats and are the basis of any diet.

Micronutrients are needed in small quantities (usually in amounts less than milligrams). These nutrients are involved in regulating metabolism and energy processes, but not as substrates. These include vitamins and minerals. 




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