PROTEINS
These are one of five important types of NUTRIENTS. Protein comes from the Greek and means I AM FIRST. After water every cell in your body is made up of more protein than anything else, in fact you are 15% protein. Every seven years of your adult life, every cell in your body, except those in your brain and teeth, will die and be replaced by a new cell - your body needs protein to do this. There are two types of protein, animal and vegetable. Animal proteins are found in meat, fish, cheese, eggs and milk. This is first class protein. You need twice as much second class protein which comes from vegetables, to equal first class.

CARBOHYDRATES
These are essential for good health. Food containing carbohydrates supply sugars, starches and fibre. Sugar and starch provide us with our main sources of energy, foods containing fibre help us get rid of waste products. All carbohydrates come from plants.

Refined sugar comes from cane or beet. Natural sugars are found in milk and fruit. It is easy to digest and gives you energy in moderation. Look out for hidden sugar in sauces, baked beans, burgers and sausages. It is the worst thing for our teeth and piles on pounds as it is more easily stored as body fat. Starch is found in flour, bread, potatoes, root vegetables, rice, beans and peas. It is digested slowly so it gives long lasting energy and stamina.

Fibre and roughage come from fruits, cereals and vegetables. We cannot digest a proportion of it, so it helps our bodies to dispose of the remains of all the things we eat. Diets which contain plenty of fibre satisfy the appetite and are low in calories.

FATS
The main sources are milk, cheese, butter, meat, nuts, sauces, puddings, biscuits and chocolate. Different types of fat are found in fish and vegetable oils. Fats are a rich source of energy. One gram will produce twice as much as carbohydrates and protein. They contain vitamins A, D & E, stored in the body to keep you warm. Women carry more fat than men. Women are 20% to 30% fat, men 10% to 15%. Saturated fats come from animals, coconut and palm oil, they are regarded as less healthy than unsaturated fats.

Unsaturated fats come from vegetable oils like olive, soya and sunflower, they are thought of as more healthy. The main problem is all fat is full of calories, so must be kept right down. You must learn to spread thinly!!

VITAMINS
Vital for good health, we only need small amounts, but they are essential. If you are on a healthy, varied, well-balanced diet like the Super Slim eating plans, you will be getting sufficient. Vitamin supplements can be dangerous as an excess of some vitamins can make you ill.

MINERALS
1% of total nutrition comes from minerals, but without that 1% you would not last long. Minerals provide nutrients for your blood, teeth, bones, muscles and nerves. If you eat a wide range of foods you will be in no danger of running short. Main minerals are calcium, iron and zinc. Calcium is found in milk, cheese, yoghurt, tofu, leafy green vegetables and nuts. Iron is found in liver, kidney, meal, cereals, bread and flour. Zinc is found in beans, lentils and meat.