The 7 Essential Nutrients

God has given us an ample variety of healthful foods, and each person should choose from it the things that experience and sound judgment prove to be best suited to his [or her] own necessities.

Ellen White, The Ministry of Healing, Ch. 23

 

We thank God that He created us with the ability to taste and smell.  He put such delightful flavors and aromas into the food He has given us to eat.  But even if we didn't enjoy it, we would still have to eat.  Food is needed to furnish fuel to supply energy to the body, to provide material to repair and build tissues, and to supply the necessary things needed to regulate your body's systems.

The seven basic classes of nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.  When food is properly selected and prepared, so that the basic nutrients are consumed in the correct ratios and amount, we can be assured of good nutrition.  All natural foods contain all seven essential nutrients.  However, the different amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are found in varying amounts in different foods.  We need to eat a variety of food to get all the nutrients in sufficient quantities.