Which nutrients provide your body with energy?

Your body uses up an incredible amount of energy, even when it is resting. An adult needs around 2000 kilocalories per day. Energy is provided by energy nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.

Ideally, carbohydrates should cover half our energy requirements, lipids should cover a third and proteins the rest.

Carbohydrates and proteins provide us with an energy intake of 4 kilocalories per gram, whereas lipids provide 9 kilocalories per gram.

Your body stores nutrients that are not used immediately. Carbohydrates are stored in your liver and muscles, while lipids are stored in adipose tissue.

How is energy used during physical activity?

Carbohydrates provide the source of energy at the beginning of physical activity, if intense effort is required.

Lipids are used more slowly, when long and moderately intense effort is required.

Proteins play an important role, especially in building your body.