Macronutrients
Macronutrients consist of carbohydrates, triglycerides (fats & oils), and proteins. Macronutrients provide calories (or energy units that allow us to function), protection and insulation, and amino acids to build and maintain our muscular and skeletal system.
- Carbohydrates (carbs) – are food compounds that consist of sugars, starches and/or fibers. Carbohydrates are classified as either simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates contain one to two sugars per bond, and complex carbohydrates contain three or more.
- Triglycerides (fats & oils) – a triglyceride is a glycerin molecule that has three fatty acids attached to it. Triglycerides are either classified as fats, which are solid at room temperature, or oils, which are liquid at room temperature. The reference to the term “fats” usually includes both fats and oils because and both contain saturated and unsaturated fats.
- Proteins - are compounds that contain amino acids. Amino acids consist of: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen molecules. There are 20 amino acids and are classified as either essential amino acids (must be obtained from external source) or nonessential amino acids (can be synthesized internally).