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.
What Is a Nutrient?
You probably already know that a nutrient is something that is good for you, but do you really know what a nutrient is?
You probably already know that a nutrient is something that is good for you, but do you really know what a nutrient is?
eCourse - Nutrition 101 - The Macronutrients
Learn about the macronutrients, better known as carbohydrates, proteins and fats when you sign up for this six-week email course.
Learn about the macronutrients, better known as carbohydrates, proteins and fats when you sign up for this six-week email course.
Are Genetically Modified Foods Healthy?
Genetically modified foods are becoming more common. A reader wants to know if GMO foods are safe to eat.
Genetically modified foods are becoming more common. A reader wants to know if GMO foods are safe to eat.
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.
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.
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.
IU, RDA, DRI, g, mg? Looks like alphabet soup. This article explains some of the common abbreviations that are used in nutrition.
Do You Know Why You Need to Eat?
Your body and your brain tells you when you are hungry, but do you know why you need to eat? Here is an introduction to why your body needs good nutrition.
Your body and your brain tells you when you are hungry, but do you know why you need to eat? Here is an introduction to why your body needs good nutrition.
Don't Skip Breakfast
Do you regularly skip breakfast? Not a good idea. Learn why breakfast is so important for starting off each day.
Do you regularly skip breakfast? Not a good idea. Learn why breakfast is so important for starting off each day.
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.
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.
Finding Healthy Foods in a Grocery Store
Here are some tips for finding healthy foods when you are shopping at the grocery store.
Here are some tips for finding healthy foods when you are shopping at the grocery store.
Food Additives That Are Good for You
Some ingredients that are added to the foods you eat will help keep you healthy. Find out which nutritional ingredients are good for you.
Some ingredients that are added to the foods you eat will help keep you healthy. Find out which nutritional ingredients are good for you.
Healthy Foods Grocery List
A printable grocery list to help shoppers choose healthy foods.
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? It should be easier than that. Here's how.
With this diet and that diet, whatever happened to just eating healthy food? It should be easier than that. Here's how.
How Healthy Is Your Diet?
This quiz will help you determine if you have a healthy diet.
This quiz will help you determine if you have a healthy diet.
How to Search the USDA National Nutrient Database
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.
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.
Learn to Read Food Labels
The FDA requires the foods that we buy must be labeled for nutritional content. Learn how to read the Nutrition Facts food label.
The FDA requires the foods that we buy must be labeled for nutritional content. Learn how to read the Nutrition Facts food label.
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.
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.
Nutrition Questions and Answers
I have received a lot of questions from readers. You can browse through the questions and read my answers.
I have received a lot of questions from readers. You can browse through the questions and read my answers.
Nutrition Quiz
Take this fun nutrition quiz to test your knowledge of nutrition and learn a bit more.
Take this fun nutrition quiz to test your knowledge of nutrition and learn a bit more.
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.
Here are the basics of protein. Learn what protein does for our bodies and why we need protein in our diet.
Quick Nutrient Facts
A reference to quickly find information on vitamins, minerals and macro-nutrients.
A reference to quickly find information on vitamins, minerals and macro-nutrients.
Watch Portion Size at Meal Time
Portion size of foods at meals are getting bigger and it is one reason people are gaining weight.
Portion size of foods at meals are getting bigger and it is one reason people are gaining weight.
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.
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.
What Carbohydrates Do for Our Bodies.
Read this article to learn more about carbohydrates and why we need healthy carbohydrates in our diets.
Read this article to learn more about carbohydrates and why we need healthy carbohydrates in our diets.
Which Nutritional Supplements Do You Need?
A screening quiz to help adults determine which dietary supplements will help to maintain good health and prevent disease.
A screening quiz to help adults determine which dietary supplements will help to maintain good health and prevent disease.
Enriched or Fortified?
A reader wants to know the difference between enriched food and fortified food.
A reader wants to know the difference between enriched food and fortified food.