| Calcium |
A mineral that makes bones and teeth strong. Calcium also helps your muscles work and aids in proper blood clotting. |
| Iron |
A mineral that is an important part of hemoglobin, your blood's oxygen-carrying molecule. Iron also helps your body resist infection and use energy from food. |
| Calorie |
A unit of muscle, like an inch or a pound. Calories measure the amount of energy your body gets from food. You need energy to be physically active and for your body to grow and function. Carbohydrates, fat and protein provide the energy from food. |
| Carbohydrate |
The body's most readily available source of energy. Each gram of carbohydrate provides 4 calories of energy. The main forms of carbohydrate are sugars and starches. Sugars are simple carbohydrates. Starches, such as bread, cereals and pasta, are complex carbohydrates. |
| Fat |
A concentrated energy source. Fat provides 9 calories per gram, more than twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrate. Fat also provides essential fatty acids, is an important component of cell structure, and transports vitamins, A, D, E and K. |
| Fibre |
A form of carbohydrate which your body can't digest. Fibre helps your digestive tract work. |
| Folate |
Also called folic acid, this B vitamin helps your body make nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), amino acids and red blood cells. |
| Protein |
A major component of all body tissue. Your body needs protein to grow and repair itself. Protein is also necessary component of hormones, enzymes and haemoglobin. Your body can use protein for energy, but is one of its least important functions. |
