nutrients

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A mixture of different types of food in the correct amounts is needed to stay healthy. The main food groups are:

carbohydrate food: potato and banana  
Carbohydrates - found in potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, bananas and sugar. Carbohydrate is needed by our bodies as a source of energy for other life processes. Sometimes referred to as starch, which is actually just one (very common) type of carbohydrate.
Fat food: cheese  
Fats - found in cheese, butter, cream, margarine and oils. Fats are needed to make cell membranes and to insulate our bodies. They also contain important fat-soluble vitamins.
protein food: meat  
Protein - found in meat, fish, eggs and cheese. Proteins are required for growth and repair.
Fibre food: wholemeal bread and apple  
Fibre - found in wholemeal bread, fruit, vegetables and pulses. The fibre or roughage in our diet is not digested, but is important because it allows the muscles in our intestines to move food through our system by peristalsis.

[ This page has been adapted from  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science ]