Nutrition Basics

Nutrition is all about the study of food and how our bodies use food as fuel for growth and daily activities. The macronutrients, or "big" nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The micronutrients, or "little" nutrients are the vitamins and minerals that we need to be healthy. Here you can find articles, tools, and resources to help you learn about these nutrients, and help you analyze your own diet and food choices.

Subtopics

• Nutrition Glossary
• Mineral Glossary
• Vitamin Glossary
• Fast Foods & Restaurants
• Book Reviews

Articles & Resources

Nutrient Density
Choosing which foods to eat shouldn't be difficult. While we want our foods to taste good, the amount of nutrition they offer is more important. Learn about nutrient density and how to choose nutrient dense foods.

Questions and Answers About Nutrition
I get a lot of questions from readers. Browse through the list of FAQs to read the questions and my answers.

Which Nutritional Supplements do You Need?
A screening quiz to help adults determine which supplements will maintain good health and help to prevent disease.

The Basics of a Healthy Balanced Diet
A balanced diet will keep you healthy, trim and reduce your risk of chronic diseases lick cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. Learn the basics of a balanced diet.

How Healthy is Your Diet?
This quiz will help you determine if you have a healthy diet.

Finding Healthy Foods in a Grocery Store
Here are some tips for finding healthy foods when you are shopping at the grocery store.

Learn to Read Food Labels
The FDA requires the foods that we buy be labeled for nutritional content. Learn how to read the Nutrition Facts food label.

How to Search the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference is one of the best and most comprehensive tools you can use to evaluate the nutritional value of the foods you eat.

Watch Portion Size At Meal Time
Portion size of foods at meals are getting bigger and it is one reason people are gaining weight.

Common Nutrition Abbreviations Explained
IU, RDA, DRI, g, mg? Looks like alphabet soup. This article explains some of the common abbreviations that are used in nutrition.

Carbohydrates in the Diet
Carbohydrates aren't bad. They are good, and we need them for good health. Learn about the different types of carbohydrates and where to find healthy carbohydrates in our diets.

What Carbohydrates Do For Our Bodies.
Read this article to learn more about carbohydrates and why we need healthy carbohydrates in our diets.

Protein in the Diet
Here are the basics of protein. Learn what protein does for our bodies and why we need protein in our diet.

Fats in the Diet
Fats are an important part of a healthy diet. Learn about the different types of fats, which fats are good, and which fats aren't so good.

Nutrition Quiz
Take this fun nutrition quiz to test your knowledge of nutrition and learn a bit more.

Don't Skip Breakfast
Do you regularly skip breakfast? Not a good idea. Learn why breakfast is so important for starting off each day.

Nutritional Ingredients - Food Additives That are Good for You
Some ingredients that are added to the foods we eat will help to improve our health. Find out which nutritional ingredients are good for us.

Healthy Foods Grocery List
A printable grocery list to help shoppers choose healthy foods.

Healthy Foods Instead of a Diet
With this diet and that diet, whatever happened to just eating healthy food? Shereen tells you how to have a healthy diet.

Quick Nutrient Facts
A reference to quickly find information on vitamins, minerals, and macro-nutrients.

Nutritional Analysis Tool
This is a great tool to help you analyze your diet. It was developed by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois. There is also a version that can be downloaded into your Palm OS.

USDA Nutrient Data Base
This is my favorite tool for determining the nutritional information for thousands of foods. The USDA Nutrient Data Base can be used as an online tool, downloaded to your computer, or downloaded to your PDA.>/p>

What Are Processed Foods?
You hear a lot about processed foods, however one reader isn't sure what processed foods are. Read my answer to the reader's question.

Are Genetically Modified Foods healthy?
Genetically modified foods are becoming more common. A reader wants to know if GMO foods are safe to eat.