What is Nutrition?

Nutrition is the amount and type of food you eat in relation to your body’s needs. Good nutrition means the right amount of nutrients for the body are eaten. Good nutrition is one of the keys to leading a healthy lifestyle.

Each Food Has a Purpose

There are different types of nutrients in foods. They are:

• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals

For a healthy body, we require all these important nutrients. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are required for building muscle and energy; minerals and vitamins give us resistance against the different illnesses and keeping the body healthy. Water is also vital.

Foods are grouped into categories such as meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables because they provide similar amounts of key nutrients. For example, dairy offers us calcium and protein, while the fruit group is a good source vitamin C. Choosing a variety of foods will help to make your meals interesting and healthy.