Nutrition is an essential part of health and wellbeing. Eating a nutritious diet can lead to better infant, child and maternal health, a stronger immune system, safer pregnancy and delivery, a lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity. A healthy diet provides your body with all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally. Planning meals and snacks that are nutrient-rich and low in calories is key to maintaining good nutrition.
Good nutrition is essential for current and future generations of Americans to stay healthy throughout their lives. Breastfeeding helps protect against childhood diseases, such as respiratory and ear infections, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). People with healthy eating patterns live longer and have a lower risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. For those with chronic illnesses, a healthy diet can help control these conditions and prevent complications.
In addition to physical health benefits, eating the right foods can also make you happier. Nutrients such as iron and omega-3 fatty acids found in protein-rich foods can improve your mood, which helps improve overall mental well-being and protects you against mental health problems. Nutrition involves eating a balanced diet that provides your body with the energy and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Understanding nutrition terms can make it easier to make better food choices.
Replacing junk food and unhealthy snacks with nutritious foods is the first step in keeping your weight within a healthy range relative to your body composition, without having to resort to fad diets. It is important to pay attention to food labels, as the amount listed for “calories” is actually equivalent to each calorie multiplied by a thousand. Eating a nutritious diet has many benefits for both physical and mental health. It can help protect against childhood diseases, reduce the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, improve mood, increase longevity, and help control chronic illnesses.
To ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need from your diet, it is important to pay attention to food labels and understand nutrition terms. Eating a balanced diet that is low in calories but high in nutrients is key to maintaining good nutrition.