Macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—make up the backbone of your dietary intake. They provide calories (energy) to fuel your body. When they are digested and absorbed, their components play critical roles in virtually every bodily process. They are also the vehicle by which we ingest essential micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals). In other words, the macronutrient choices you make determine which micronutrients your body gets. (For example, grapes are primarily carbohydrates but are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and copper, along with hydrating water. Jellybeans are carbohydrates, too, but they are just sugar with food coloring and flavoring.)
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