The six essential nutrients, including minerals and water, are commonly referred to as which group?

• A. Macronutrients
• B. Six nutrients
• C. Micronutrients
• D. Essential nutrients

Answer: (B)

Essential nutrients are the substances the body cannot make in enough amounts and must obtain from food and fluids. When you list the six that support growth and health—carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water—you’re describing the set of essential nutrients. The common term for this whole group is essential nutrients, since the emphasis is on their necessity for health, not just how many there are. Terms like macronutrients describe a subset (the big energy-providers) and micronutrients describe the other subset (vitamins and minerals), while water is included with the essentials but isn’t itself a mineral. So the best label for the group is essential nutrients.