nu·tri·tion

n(y)o͞oˈtriSH(ə)n/
noun
noun: nutrition
  1. the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
    "a guide to good nutrition"
    • food; nourishment.
      "a feeding tube gives her nutrition and water"
      synonyms:nourishment, nutriment, nutrients, sustenance, food; More
      informalgrub, chow, nosh;
      literaryviands;
      datedvictuals
      "the child was not receiving adequate nutrition"
    • the branch of science that deals with nutrients and nutrition, particularly in humans.
      "she took a short course in nutrition"

Nutrition Basics


Do you ever feel like you can't keep up with the changes in technology? Sometimes it seems that way with dietary advice, as if things are always changing. While it's true that the fields of diet and nutrition are areas of evolving research, there are some basic concepts you can keep in mind. By knowing these basics, you will be better equipped to sort through nutrition research and dietary advice.

Food Groups

What are the basic food groups? Foods are grouped together when they share similar nutritional properties, by understanding the basic food groups, you'll be able to plan a healthy daily diet.

Water 

Water is involved in every function of the body. It's in every cell, tissue and organ of the body. In this section you'll learn why getting enough water every day is important for your health.

Dietary Fat

Whether you're looking for information about monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol, you'll find what you need here.

Carbohydrates

You may be wondering what all the hype is about carbohydrates or "carbs" as they are often called. Find out the facts.

Protein

Then there's protein. How much do you really need? Can you get too much? You'll find answers to these questions and more by visiting this section.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs to grow and develop normally. The NIH Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets provide information about the role of vitamins and minerals in health and disease.

Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Healthy eating is not hard. The key is to
  • Eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products
  • Eat lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and low-fat dairy products
  • Drink lots of water
  • Limit salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fat, and trans fat in your diet
Saturated fats are usually fats that come from animals. Look for trans fat on the labels of processed foods, margarine's, and shortenings.