Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which six nutrient classes are found in human foods?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

USDA MyPlate dietary guidelines — human nutrition MyPlate, a revised set of dietary guidelines introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011, divides the four basic food groups (fruits, grains, protein, and vegetables) into sections on a plate, the size of each section representing the relative dietary proportions of each food group. The small blue circle shown at the upper right illustrates the inclusion and recommended proportion of dairy products in the diet.

In the study of human nutrition and physiology, there are six essential classes of nutrients found in food that are necessary to sustain life. These are categorized as follows:1

Carbohydrates: A primary source of energy for the body.12
Lipids: Comprising fats and oils, these serve as concentrated energy sources and structural components.12
Proteins: Essential for building and maintaining body tissues.1
Vitamins: Organic compounds that facilitate various metabolic processes.1
Minerals: Inorganic elements that support functions such as bone health, fluid balance, and enzyme activity.13
Water: The vital medium in which all metabolic processes occur.1

These nutrients are often divided into macronutrients—carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins—which provide energy and raw materials, and micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—which regulate physiological functions. While these categories are useful for discussion, it is important to recognize that nutrients work in collaboration within the body to maintain health.1