Compared to medicine and many sciences, nutrition is a very young science.
Nutrients refer to vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber.
Protein, carbohydrates, fats, and water are also nutrients required daily for optimal health by our physical bodies. The common message heard about healthy eating is to eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods. This means well-balanced in the sense of providing a wide range of vitamins and minerals. It does not mean that one should eat equal amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Rather it means balanced in providing all of the nutrients needed for a healthy body.