Nutrient Hierarchy
When talking about nutrients, there are lots of different ways to compare, group, or describe them. To help make sense of it all, we’ve created a system called the Nutrient Hierarchy. It’s how we organize nutrition content across Bernie’s University. This structure shows how nutrients relate to one another; from big categories like macronutrients and micronutrients, to more specific groupings like fats, proteins, fiber, and even finer distinctions like soluble vs. insoluble fiber. The goal is to help you follow the path from broad nutritional concepts down to specific compounds, with a consistent way to explore how everything connects.
Nutrient Hierarchy
Nutrients
Individual nutrients or molecules found in Foods or Food Components, like vitamins and minerals.
Nutrient Metas
Broadest nutrient categories: Micronutrients and Macronutrients.
Nutrient Classes
Subgroups of either Macronutrients or Micronutrients, like Fats, Proteins, or Minerals.
Nutrient Types
Sub-category of a Nutrient Class, such as Unsaturated Fats and Saturated Fats, of the Nutrient Class Fats.
Nutrient Sub-Types
A further subgrouping of nutrients belonging to a given Nutrient Type, such as Omega-3 or Omega-6, both types of Nutrient Type Unsaturated Fats.