Proper Nutrition

Nutrition

National Institutes of Health URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutrition.html

Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

Learning to eat nutritiously is not hard. The key is to

* Eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products
* Eat lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and low-fat dairy products
* Drink lots of water
* Go easy on the salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fat and trans fat

Saturated fats are usually fats that come from animals. Look for trans fat on the labels of processed foods, margarines and shortenings.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Start Here

* Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005: Key Recommendations(Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Health and Human Services) - http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/recommendations.htm
* MyPyramid.gov: Steps to a Healthier You(Dept. of Agriculture) - http://www.mypyramid.gov/
* Nutrition: Tips for Improving Your Health(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/369.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/food/improve/369.printerview.html

Overviews

* Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005(Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Health and Human Services) - http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/
* Food Pyramid: An Option for Better Eating(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/healthy-diet/NU00190/METHOD=print
* Healthy Eating Pyramid(Harvard School of Public Health) - http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid/
* Nutrition.gov(Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Health and Human Services) - http://www.nutrition.gov/
* Rules for Healthy EatingEasy-to-Read(National Center for Farmworker Health) - http://www.ncfh.org/pateduc/en-diet.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.ncfh.org/pateduc/sp-diet.htm

Latest News

* People Get Their Nutrients on Diet Plans(09/03/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68837.html
* NewGet Smart with Fruits and Veggies!(09/01/2008, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/Features/FruitsAndVeggies/
* Heavy MSG Use Increases Risk of Being Overweight(08/25/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68491.html
* Mom's Fish Oil Intake Doesn't Up 7-Year-Old's IQ(08/15/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68187.html
* More News on Nutrition http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_n.html#nutrition

Related Issues

* 20 Ways to Revive Your Healthy-Eating Plan(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/healthy-eating/NU00641/METHOD=print
* Bacteria-Eating Virus Approved as Food Additive(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2007/107_virus.html
* Deciphering Media Stories on Diet: Nutrition in the News(Harvard School of Public Health) - http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/nutrition-news/media/
* Eating Healthy with Ethnic FoodFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/eth_dine.htm
* Food Ingredients and Colors(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/foodic.html
* Fruits and Veggies Matter(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/
* Healthy Breakfast: The Best Way to Begin Your Day(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/food-and-nutrition/NU00197/METHOD=print
* Healthy Cooking Techniques(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/healthy-cooking/NU00201/METHOD=print
* JAMA Patient Page: Eating Fish: Health Benefits and Risks(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/296/15/1926.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/296/15/1926/DC1/1
* Just Enough for You: About Food PortionsFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/just_enough.htm
* Key to Nutrition: A Diversified Portfolio(Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health) - http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=4081&lvl=3&lvlID=287
* Mediterranean Diet(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4644
* No Appetite? How to Get Nutrition during Cancer Treatment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cancer/HQ01134/METHOD=print
* Organic and Other Environmentally Friendly Foods(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/organics.html
* Portion Distortion! Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?From the National Institutes of Health(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/
* Shopping List: Basic Ingredients for a Healthy Kitchen(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Shopping_List_Basic_Ingredients_For_A_Healthy_Kitchen.asp
* Snacks: How They Fit into Your Weight-Loss Plan(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/healthy-diet/HQ01396/METHOD=print
* Where Do Your Favorite Foods Fit?(Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion) - Links to PDF - http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2000/2000DGBrochureFavoriteFoods.pdf
* Whole Grains: Hearty Options for a Healthy Diet(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/whole-grains/NU00204/METHOD=print

Health Check Tools

* Calculate Your Daily Calorie Needs(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_6_1x_Calorie_Calculator.asp
* Interactive Menu PlannerFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi
* Make Your Calories Count(Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/hwm/hwmintro.html
* Nutrition and Activity Quiz(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/Ped_3_1x_Nutrition_and_Activity_Quiz.asp
* What's in the Foods You Eat Search Tool(Dept. of Agriculture) - http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=12096

Tutorials

* The Bad Fats Brothers(American Heart Association) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.badfatsbrothers.com/BFB.html

Clinical Trials

* ClinicalTrials.gov: DietFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Diet%22
* ClinicalTrials.gov: Food AdditivesFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Food+Additives%22
* ClinicalTrials.gov: NutritionFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Nutrition%22
* ClinicalTrials.gov: Nutrition DisordersFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Nutrition+Disorders%22

Research

* Food and Nutrition Research Briefs(Dept. of Agriculture) - http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/
Also available in Spanish http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/espanol/np/fnrb/index.html

Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

* Article: Nutrient requirements and fetal development: recommendations for best outcomes. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18684352&tool=MedlinePlus
* Article: Do mushrooms have any nutritional value? - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18693338&tool=MedlinePlus
* Article: Training in complementary feeding counselling of healthcare workers and its... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18686554&tool=MedlinePlus
* Nutrition -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=nutrition+physiology[majr:noexp]+OR+nutritional+status[majr]+OR+nutrition+policy[majr]+OR+nutrition+assessment[majr]+OR+nutritional+requirements[majr]+OR+food+habits[majr]+OR+nutritive+value[majr]+OR+food-drug+interactions[majr]+NOT+(dietary+proteins[majr]+OR+carbohydrates[majr]+OR+dietary+fats[majr]+OR+dietary+sodium[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+news[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
* Food additives -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(food+additives[majr]+OR+flavoring+agents[majr:noexp])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+news[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Directories

* Find a Nutrition Professional(American Dietetic Association) - http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_4874_ENU_HTML.htm
* Nutrient Lists(Dept. of Agriculture) - Links to PDF - http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=15869
* US Nutrition Assistance Programs(Food and Nutrition Information Center) - http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&tax_subject=276&topic_id=1340

Organizations

* American Dietetic Association - http://www.eatright.org/
* Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion - http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/
* Food and Drug Administration - http://www.fda.gov/
* National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesFrom the National Institutes of Health - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

Statistics

* Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Data and Statistics(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/5ADaySurveillance/

Teenagers

* Are Detox Diets Safe?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/dieting/detox_diets.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/nutricion/detox_diets_esp.html

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

* Breast Feeding - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastfeeding.html
* Calcium - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/calcium.html
* Carbohydrates - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbohydrates.html
* Child Nutrition - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childnutrition.html
* Cholesterol - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html
* Dietary Fats - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietaryfats.html
* Dietary Fiber - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietaryfiber.html
* Dietary Proteins - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietaryproteins.html
* Eating Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eatingdisorders.html
* Food Labeling - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodlabeling.html
* Food Safety - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodsafety.html
* Infant and Toddler Nutrition - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infantandtoddlernutrition.html
* Nutrition for Seniors - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutritionforseniors.html
* Nutritional Support - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutritionalsupport.html
* Obesity - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html
* Vegetarian Diet - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vegetariandiet.html
* Vitamins - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vitamins.html
* Weight Control - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/weightcontrol.html
* Food and Nutrition - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodandnutrition.html
* Wellness and Lifestyle - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/wellnessandlifestyle.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Nutrition is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

Nutrition - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/nutrition.html

Date last updated: September 04 2008
Topic last reviewed: August 20 2008