Final answer:
Essential nutrients required in the diet include macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, as well as micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, and water. Macronutrients are needed in larger amounts, providing energy and building materials, while micronutrients are needed in smaller quantities but are crucial for various body processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Essential nutrients required in the diet include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, water, and other nutrients such as lipids and minerals. This can be justified as all classes of nutrients are crucial to human survival. Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are considered macronutrients because they are needed in larger quantities and provide energy. Whereas, vitamins and minerals are classified as micronutrients, as they are required in much smaller amounts but are still essential for body processes. Unlike macronutrients, the body cannot store micronutrients in significant amounts; therefore, they need to be consumed regularly through the diet.
It's important to note that carbohydrates, though they make up only a small percentage of body weight, are a primary energy source for the body. Similarly, proteins are vital for the building and repair of body tissues, and lipids serve various functions, including energy storage and cell membrane composition. Overall, the six major classes of nutrients, as mentioned in Figure 1.1, are also substances the body needs for energy, building materials, and the control of bodily processes.