We all need a variety of elements that we aquire from the foods that we eat. There are four main groups - protein, carbohydrate, fibre and fats.

Variety is the key to ensuring that the body's nutritional needs are met.

Protein is necessary for metabolic processes that create energy.

Protein is also required for a multitude of functions including formation of connective tissue, muscles, bones, enzymes, hormones and blood components.

Carbohydrate provides energy to the body. Manufactured by plants, it provides glucose which is what the body uses to produce energy.

Glucose is needed daily as the body is unable to produce its own.

Fibre is a form of carbohydrate, but is usually discussed separately due to its own importance to health.

Fibre is the part of plants that is not digested, but instead moves through the entire digestive tract doing its 'stuff' - keeping things moving along.

All fats are not the same, and some are quite harmful.

We actually need small, regular amounts of the 'good' fats in our diet for our brain, cells, nerves and eyes.