What macromolecules are found in food labels?

* Simple carbohydrates: These are sugars that are quickly absorbed by the body, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose.

* Complex carbohydrates: These are starches and fibers that are digested more slowly by the body, such as whole grains, legumes, and vegetables.

Proteins

* Complete proteins: These proteins contain all of the essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own. Animal products, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products, are complete proteins.

* Incomplete proteins: These proteins do not contain all of the essential amino acids that the body needs. Plant products, such as beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds, are incomplete proteins. However, they can be combined with other incomplete proteins to create a complete protein.

Fats

* Saturated fats: These fats are solid at room temperature and are found in animal products, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. They are also found in some plant products, such as coconut oil and palm oil.

* Unsaturated fats: These fats are liquid at room temperature and are found in plant products, such as olive oil, canola oil, and avocado oil.

* Trans fats: These fats are created when unsaturated fats are processed, such as when vegetable oils are hydrogenated. They are found in some processed foods, such as margarine, crackers, and cookies.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins.

* Water-soluble vitamins: These vitamins are dissolved in water and are easily absorbed by the body. They include vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12.

* Fat-soluble vitamins: These vitamins are dissolved in fat and are absorbed by the body along with fat. They include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Minerals

Minerals are essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. There are two types of minerals: major minerals and trace minerals.

* Major minerals: These minerals are needed in larger amounts by the body. They include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and sulfur.

* Trace minerals: These minerals are needed in smaller amounts by the body. They include iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, and fluoride.