What is Nutrition?

What is Nutrition?

by Jerrica Brown

Nutrition is the science of looking at how the body uses nutrients and at how and why people eat.

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Nutrients are substances in food that the body needs to function properly.

​When is nutrition important in our lives?

​At every stage in life, good nutrition is essential for health.

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​Nutrition is important to teenagers because adolescence is the period of the fastest and most growth you will experience. Adolescence is also a time when your life-style is probably a very active one. Good nutrition is important to both your growth and the energy you need to maintain an active life-style.

​Influences on Nutrition

Physical Health: Eating the right amounts and kinds of foods gives energy and stamina for active life-styles. A nutritious diet provides for growth and maintenance of a healthy body and helps keep you mentally alert.

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​Culture: Your food choices reflect the culture you live in, as well as your ethnic background and perhaps your religious beliefs. Teenagers have a culture of their own, too.

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​Influences on Nutrition (cont.)

Environment: Your food choices are linked to many factors. Your cultural heritage, your family and social relationships, media messages, and life-style all influence the foods you like and choose.

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​Emotion: Eating is closely tied to emotions. Eating to relieve tension or boredom can result in overeating. However, if you lose your appetite when you are upset or bored, you may miss out on getting essential nutrients. By understanding how eating relates to emotions, you can make more healthful food choices.

​What are eating styles?

​Eating styles refers to how and why people eat, which food they choose, and who they eat with.

​Cultural, Individual, Social, and Religious factors all influence eating styles.

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​Eating styles are also known as eating habits, food habits, and eating patterns.

Questions to Ponder On...

1. ​What is nutrition?

2. ​How has your family and culture influenced your eating styles?

3. ​Which eating style is closest to yours?

4. ​Does eating healthy impact your current lifestyle?