Dietary Guidelines

What is Eating and Nutrition ?

Eating (and drinking) are the taking in (swallowing) of food and other nourishing material by the body. That is, eating is the processes by which an organism takes in food.
Nutrition can be simply defined as the taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body.
Food is made up of various different types and concentrations of nutrients that determine how nutritious our food is. These nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.

To give the body proper nutrition, and maintain good health, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients.
Without proper nutrition, our body would not be able to carry out the functions necessary to maintain and sustain a healthy life.

If our bodies fail to get all the nutrients that they need, then this condition is called malnutrition. If a person suffers from malnutrition they can be more likely to catch diseases and it can effect the functions of their body such as brain, eyesight, height, weight, the functioning of various organs, as well as the development and formation of body parts, especially in unborn babies, newborn babies, and young children.

Health and nutrition experts recommend the following eating and dietary practices for all people aged 2 years and older:

1. Eat a variety of foods to get the energy (calories), protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need for good health.
2. Maintain a healthy weight for your height to reduce the chances of having a stroke or developing high blood pressure, heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, and other health complications.
3. Eat a diet that is low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart disease, various types of cancer, and other health complications. Fat contains more than twice the calories of an equal amount of carbohydrates or protein, so a diet low in fat can help you maintain a healthy weight.
4. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grain products that provide the required vitamins, minerals, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. These products are also generally lower in fat, which is also good.
5. Drink plenty of water.
6. Eat sugar in strict moderation. A diet consisting of lots of sugar will result in too many calories and too few nutrients for most people, and can also cause tooth decay and other health complications.
7. Eat salt and other forms of sodium in moderation to help reduce your risk of high blood pressure and other health complications.
   If you drink alcoholic beverages, then do so in moderation. Alcoholic beverages are high in calories and contain little or no nutrients. Drinking alcohol is also the cause of many health problems and can lead to addiction.

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