Nutrition

What is nutrition and how does it affect you?

The simple answer is nutrition is the study of food and how our bodies use food as fuel to maintain growth and support daily activities.

The more complex answer is nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision to your cells the materials necessary (in the form of food) to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a diet comprised of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grains. These are the items found on the food pyramid. The food pyramid is a series of guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture to illustrate what comprises a healthy diet and in what proportions.

Your diet and what you eat are largely determined by the perceived taste of foods. Nutritionists who specialize in human health are interested in meal planning and preparation. They are trained to provide safe, evidence-based dietary advice to individuals and institutions.

A poor diet can have a serious impact on your health, causing deficiency diseases such as scurvy and health-threatening conditions like obesity and heart disease. Chronic systemic diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis can also be a direct effect of poor nutrition.

Impact of Nutritional Deficiency