While it is rare for a food to only contain one type of nutrient, the easiest way to ensure you receive all your nutrients is by eating a variety of foods. Carbohydrates are our main source of calories. Carbohydrates are usually categorized as either simple or complex. Complex carbohydrates, commonly known as starch or dextrins, are usually found in nutrient dense foods derived from corn, seeds, nuts, grains, and roots. Thus foods rich in complex carbohydrates provide many valuable nutrients.
Fats are the most calorie dense nutrient.
They contain 9 calories per gram and are an excellent source of energy. It is essential to have fat in our diet for cell structure, shock absorption, and heat preservation. Fat is also essential for producing fatty acids and carrying fat soluble vitamins. Fats can be categorized according to their degree of saturation. Generally, saturated fats increase blood cholesterol level whereas unsaturated fats do the opposite.