CARBOHYDRATES

Bodies preferred food source, especially for the brain in the form of glucose.
Broken down into simple sugars.
There are complex carbs (preferred, slow release) and simple carbs (quick release energy source).

Good sources: unprocessed grains, barley, brown rice, quinoa, legumes, fruit, vegetables

FATS

Fuel source.
Transport fat soluble nutrients.
Usually the stored fuel source.
Needed for normal body functions – especially hormones.
Body turns to fat after glucose stores are used.
Trans-fats are the ones to avoid (mainly in processed foods).

Good sources: nuts, avocado, seeds, flax, coconut oil, oily fish

PROTEIN

Our body’s building blocks – amino acids.
Different combinations of foods make up the different proteins with different functions – helping build bones, muscles, organs, skin

Good sources: both animal and plant foods; poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, nuts, legumes; it is good to try and eat a combination of both plant and animal foods

WATER

Most abundant chemical in the body
Helps regulate body temperature
Also needed for metabolism, transportation of nutrients, lubrication of joints and excretion of wastes

All macronutrients are necessary and severely limiting any one of them can be detrimental to your health.  Symptoms can include lethargy, listlessness and then becoming more severe the longer you restrict that food source.