The Six Essential Nutrients In order to function properly, a body needs six essential nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nutrients, vitamins, and water The VITAL NUTRIENTS Six kinds of nutrients can be found in foods: carbohydrates, fats,proteins,mineral, vitamins, and water. These substances are essential to chemical reactions in the body when you eat foods from the five main food groups. Carbohydrates: perhaps your favorite food is pasta, fresh-baked bread, or corn on the cob. If so, your favorite food contains carbohydrates. Starches are complex carbohydrates found in bread, cereal, potatoes, rice, corn, beans, and pasta.Sugars are simple carbohydrates found mainl