All foods are composed of three main constituents, called macronutrients. These are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and they are all handled differently by the digestive system. Proteins are broken down into amino acids. Fats are broken down into fatty acids. Carbohydrates, composed of chains of sugars, are broken down into smaller sugars, including glucose. Micronutrients, as the name implies, are nutrients that are necessary for good health in far smaller quantities, such as vitamins and minerals.
