Diet and Nutrition

Chocolate Slideshow

• Nutrition Overview
• Dietary Reference Intakes
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• The Food Guide Pyramid
• Food Labels
• Calories
• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Web Links
• Author and Editor
• Pictures of Chocolate - Slideshow

Nutrition Overview

Your understanding of nutrition can be your key to optimal health. This article covers the essential nutrition information that you need for health: dietary guidelines, dietary reference intakes, food guide pyramid, calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

The Council on Food and Nutrition of the American Medical Association defines nutrition as "the science of food; the nutrients and the substances therein; their action, interaction, and balance in relation to health and disease; and the process by which the organism (i.e. body) ingests, digest, absorbs, transports, utilizes, and excretes food substances." The purpose of our diet is to consume foods that provide the six essential nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. The correct amount and variety of food provides the correct amount of nutrients for health and weight management.