There are various substances found in foods that are essential for maintaining good health. These substances are called nutrients and can be divided into five groups:

• proteins
• carbohydrates
• fats
• vitamins
• minerals

We need to eat a variety of foods from all 5 food groups every day in order to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

The amount of nutrients that we can get from food to help our general health depends on many factors including the quality of the food we eat, the amount of food we eat, how well we absorb food and our individual differences. The way we store & prepare food can also have an impact on the nutrients we get from food.

We all need different amounts of vitamins and minerals at different times in our life. Individuals vary in the nutrients they need for a number of reasons. Gender, age, level of physical activity and illness can all play a role. For example, children need nutrients for rapid growth. The elderly require a greater amount of some nutrients because their ability to absorb nutrients decreases or certain medications may interfere with their uptake.

Different lifestyles can also play a role in the nutrients that our body requires. People with a low appetite or on low calorie diets or with allergies can have nutritional deficiencies, as their food choice may be limited.