Nutrition refers to the study of the way substances in food affect your health. Over the last century, the American diet has changed drastically. It was not uncommon for a person’s diet one hundred years ago to reflect a heavy dependence on grains, fruits, and vegetables. While there is far more attention paid today to health and nutrition, the typical American diet is not as nutritionally balanced as our ancestors' diets. Including nutritional principles into your daily routine is one of the first steps toward building a healthy foundation for the rest of your life.

Essential Question

• What are the essential components of good nutrition?