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Nutrition Basics

Home > Staying Active and Eating Healthy Home > Nutrition Basics

• What is a Nutrient?
• Additional Resources

What is a Nutrient?

A nutrient is any substance in food that:

• Provides energy
• Helps your body "burn" another nutrient to provide energy
• Helps build or repair tissue

The different types of nutrients include:

• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Dietary Guidance - This web site is a comprehensive listing of reference values used for planning and assessing nutrient intake. It includes information on specific nutrients and history of DRI development.

   http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&...

2.   Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 - This report provides advice about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risks for major chronic diseases.

   http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/

3.     Finding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans - This booklet based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 highlights how to make smart food choices from each food group and how to find your balance between food intake and physical activity.

   http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/pdf/brochure.pdf

4.   Frequently Asked Questions - A Healthy Diet - This publication provides information on how women can maintain a healthy diet throughout their lives. It explains what a healthy portion is and how a healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/diet.htm

5.   Fruit & Vegetable Benefits - This Internet site provides a brief overview of the positive health effects that you can get from eating fruits and vegetables daily. The campaign Fruits & Veggies — More Matters™ outlines research articles that have found an overlap between a healthy diet and a decreased risk for cancer.

   http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/benefits/index.html

6.   MyPyramid.gov: Steps to a Healthier You - This interactive site gives detailed information on how much of each food group you should eat everyday. It also includes tips and resources for planning a well-balanced and healthy diet.

   http://www.mypyramid.gov

7.   Physical Activity Guidelines - This fact sheet summarizes the latest knowledge about activity and health, with depth and flexibility targeting specific population subgroups, such as seniors and children. This effort is inspired by President Bush's personal dedication to physical fitness and his desire that every American have access to science-based guidelines.

   http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/Default.aspx

8. Food Ingredients & Colors (Copyright © IFIC) - This brochure contains information about food additives such as coloring. The brochure also contains a section answering questions about food labels, additives such as artificial ingredients and low calorie sweeteners.

   http://ific.org/publications/brochures/foodingredandcolorsbroch.cfm

Organizations

1.   Food and Nutrition Information Center, NAL, USDA
2.   Nutrition.Gov
3. American Dietetic Association
4. International Food Information Council

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 17, 2008.