Nutrition

What is nutrition?

Good nutrition means choosing foods and drinks that support your health. It involves regularly eating healthy foods that give your body the energy and nutrients it needs every day. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Healthy eating can look different depending on your preferences, cultural traditions, and budget.

Why is good nutrition important?

Good nutrition helps keep you healthy throughout your life, whether you are a baby, toddler, child, adult, or older adult. It can help you:

• Stay at a healthy weight. Choosing balanced foods and drinks can help you reach and stay at a healthy weight.
• Lower your risk of serious health problems. Healthy eating reduces the risk of health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.
• Keep your heart healthy. Eating heart-healthy foods can help reduce blood pressure and heart disease.
• Improve your mood. Nutritious foods can help improve your mood and help you feel better.
• Support growth and keep your body working well. That's because nutrients are essential for your body to grow, repair tissues, and stay healthy.

Does good nutrition mean following a strict diet?

You don't need a strict diet to eat well. You can enjoy a wide variety of foods, including some favorites that may be less healthy. The key is not to eat too much of those foods or have them too often. You can balance them with healthier choices and regular physical activity.

What are the keys to good nutrition?

Good nutrition isn't one-size-fits all. There's no single diet or calorie amount that works for everyone. Your needs depend on your age, sex, activity level, health conditions, and health goals. You can ask your health care provider about a diet that works for you. They may refer you to a dietician for specialized recommendations.

In general, a healthy eating plan includes:

• Eating a variety of foods, including lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products
• Choosing lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and low-fat dairy products
• Getting enough fiber
• Drinking plenty of water
• Limiting salt, added sugars, alcohol, and saturated fat
• Making sure that you get enough nutrients, especially calcium, vitamin D, and potassium
• Using dietary supplements to complement, not replace, a healthy diet

What are some tips for planning healthy meals?

Planning before you shop for food can make it easier to stick to healthy eating. Here are a few tips:

• Shop for fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods
• Use online recipes or cookbooks to plan healthy meals
• Follow safe food handling, cooking, and storage steps to prevent foodborne illness
• Read food labels

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention