Paying Attention to Nutrition Guidelines

After we discuss about nutrition, we understand that how important is the food we consume. What we eat will determine our health. if we want to be far from illness we must consume food with good balanced nutrition.

The key to good nutrition is a varied diet that includes every kind of nutrient. To aid in planning a balanced diet, nutritionists have devised systems that group foods according to nutrient content. The Food Guide Pyramid pictured in this article is one example. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed this system after extensive research into the relationship between diet and health. The pyramid shape calls attention to the recommended amounts to eat from each of the major food groups. The groups at the broad base of the pyramid--that is, grains, fruits, and vegetables--should form the largest part of a healthful diet. Fewer daily servings should be chosen from the meat and dairy groups near the top. Fats, oils, and sweets, at the narrow tip of the pyramid, should be eaten sparingly.

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA's) are provided in the United States by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences. RDA's are the estimated amounts of various nutrients needed daily to avoid deficiency and maintain good nutrition in healthy people.
The RDA for a particular nutrient may vary depending on a person's sex, age, and physical condition. The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 requires that all packaged and processed food sold in the United States carry labels with nutritional information. The labels help people compare their daily dietary needs with the nutritional content of the foods they eat.