What are these things they call macro and micro nutrients?

There are some confusing elements of food out there such as what are macro and micro nutrients? Well let's take a look and see what we can find. Nutrients are chemicals in foods that are used by the body for growth, maintenance, and energy. Nutrients that cannot be synthesized by the body and thus must be derived from the diet are considered essential. They include vitamins, minerals, some amino acids, and some fatty acids. Nutrients that the body can synthesize from other compounds, although they may also be derived from the diet, are considered nonessential. Macronutrients are required by the body in relatively large amounts; micronutrients are needed in minute amounts.

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Macronutrients are protein, carbohydrates, fats and water.

Macronutrients constitute the bulk of the diet and supply energy and many essential nutrients. Carbohydrates, proteins (including essential amino acids), fats (including essential fatty acids), macrominerals, and water are macronutrients. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are interchangeable as sources of energy; fats yield 9 kcal/g (37.8 kJ/g); proteins and carbohydrates yield 4 kcal/g (16.8 kJ/g).

Carbohydrates: Dietary carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and other monosaccharides. Carbohydrates increase blood glucose levels, supplying energy.

Proteins: Dietary proteins are broken down into peptides and amino acids. Proteins are required for tissue maintenance, replacement, function, and growth.

Macrominerals: Na, Cl, K, Ca, P, and Mg are required in relatively large amounts per day

Water: Water is considered a macronutrient because it is required in amounts of 1 mL/kcal (0.24 mL/kJ) of energy expended, or about 2500 mL/day.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals (trace minerals) required in minute amounts.

Water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and 8 members of the vitamin B complex: biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin (vitamin B₂), thiamin (vitamin B₁), vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine), and vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin).

Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A (retinol), D (cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol), E (α-tocopherol), and K (phylloquinone and menaquinone).

Only vitamins A, E, and B₁₂ are stored to any significant extent in the body; the other vitamins must be consumed regularly to maintain tissue health.

Essential trace minerals include chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Except for chromium, each of these is incorporated into enzymes or hormones required in metabolism (Youdim, 2013).

By eating an array of multi-colored foods you will be able to get most everything needed. If you do need to supplement be sure to look for whole food vitamin and mineral supplements because your body will be able to absorb and use them more efficiently. 

 Reference:

Youdim, Adrienne, MD (2013) Overview of Nutrition, Retrieved from: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional_disorders/nutrition_general_considerations/overview_of_nutrition.html?qt=&sc=&alt=