Eating provides your body with the nourishment it needs to survive. A healthy diet supplies nutrients (such as vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats), which are important for your body's growth, development, and maintenance. However, not all foods are equal when it comes to the nutrition they provide. Some foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are rich in vitamins and minerals; others, such as cookies and soda pop, provide calories but not many nutrients.

Eating a balanced and nutritious diet can help keep your body fit, prevent common health problems, and protect you from some chronic diseases. A poor diet, on the other hand, can lead to health problems. Insufficient calcium intake can affect the strength of your teeth and bones, possibly leading to tooth decay and osteoporosis. Nutritional deficiencies are also associated with anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, and greater impact from lead poisoning. Diet can also affect energy level and intellectual performance, and increase your risk for some kinds of cancer. Furthermore, eating more calories than your body needs leads to becoming overweight, which is a serious health concern. Overweight and obese people are at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and depression.

By establishing healthy eating patterns and engaging in physical activities at a young age, children can be set on a path for a healthier life. Childhood is a critical period for the body's growth and development. In addition, lifelong attitudes toward food and exercise can be strongly influenced at this stage. Children and adolescents who are overweight are more likely to remain overweight and obese as adults.

So how can children be encouraged to eat healthfully? Taste preferences are learned through exposure to foods. Mealtimes and snack times are opportunities to promote wise food choices. In general, processed foods are nutritionally inferior to fresh foods; a healthy diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Foods that have high amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and sugar should only be eaten in moderate quantities. Snacks such as french fries, candy, and ice cream should be considered "sometimes" snacks. Although processed foods are often cheaper and more convenient, they should only be eaten occasionally. On the other hand, foods such as carrot sticks, raisins, and yogurt are healthier choices that could be eaten everyday.

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