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Illustration of the food guide pyramid

Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

Learning to eat nutritiously is not hard. The key is to

  • Eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products
  • Eat lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and low-fat dairy products
  • Drink lots of water
  • Go easy on the salt, sugar, alcohol, saturated fat and trans fat

Saturated fats are usually fats that come from animals. Look for trans fat on the labels of processed foods, margarines and shortenings.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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