To maintain our health, we need to consume foods that provide us with essential nutrients that our bodies can’t produce themselves. This means we need to eat a balanced diet that includes both macronutrients and micronutrients. People’s nutrient needs can vary based on their age, physical activity level, and sex. Macronutrients include fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and some minerals, and our bodies need these in large quantities daily for growth, energy, and maintenance. Micronutrients include vitamins and trace minerals, and our bodies need them to metabolize macronutrients. Micronutrients are usually required in smaller amounts – from milligrams to micrograms.