Eating healthy foods is not only important for managing your weight; it also gives an individual the ability to enjoy life. Healthy eating involves choosing foods that provide the body with essential nutrients that allow it to function normally. All food groups contain different nutrients that provide the body with the capability to perform specific functions. The most important function of eating is providing the body with the energy it needs to keep the brain active, the heart beating, and the muscles working. Food is the fuel that helps the body to grow and develop from one stage to another which involves building bones, tendon, muscles, and all forms of new tissue. Therefore it is especially important that children still going through developmental stages get all the nutrients they need from their food. Another benefit of eating healthy is that it allows an individual to mange stress better.

Nutrients

The essential nutrients that must be obtained from diet are broken down into two categories. The first is macronutrients. Macronutrients provide energy to the body and are measured in energy units called a calories. There are three types of macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The second category of essential nutrients is called micronutrients. Micronutrients provide the body with specialized function such as the creation of red blood cells, or the ability of blood to clot. There are two types of micronutrients: vitamins and minerals. It is very important that a diet includes a variety of foods so all of these essential nutrients can be consumed.

Many essential vitamins and minerals are found in green leafy vegetables and fruits, while macronutrients are usually found in breads and meats. Therefore a diet should consist of a balance between all these food groups and they should all be eaten in variation and moderation because no one food contains all the nutrients a body needs.

Government Regulation

The United States government has provided legislation regarding product packaging that allows you to monitor which essential nutrients are being consumed. The government has required that commercial retailers of food products include a label on their packaging that breaks down the quantity of all the macro and micro nutrients a product contains. The labeling lists macronutrients, which include fat, carbohydrates and proteins, in calories, grams, and percent of the daily value. The daily value is just the basis assumed for the percentage each nutrient makes up in a diet. The nutrition label generally assumes a 2000 calorie-a-day diet. The micronutrients, which include vitamins and minerals, are given in percent of daily value only. The government has provided this labeling so that consumers can ensure they are receiving all of the essential nutrients their body needs. This tool provides easy ways to make sure that people are eating healthy and that their body is functioning optimally.