"Nutritionally, there are pluses and minuses to cooking vegetables," says Helen Rasmussen, a senior research dietitian at Tufts' Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

The major nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. The table below outlines the main nutrients found in each food group.

Nutrients are substances found in food that carry out certain jobs in the body. We need different nutrients to keep us healthy. We get nutrients from foods and drinks. Nutrients play an important ...