Energy Requirements
(For Active and Inactive People)

Eating a variety of foods and maintaining an energy balance are basic guidelines for a healthy diet. Good nutrition is not complicated for those who understand dietary guide-lines. To be properly nourished, you should regularly eat a wide variety of foods from the major food groups, selecting a variety of foods from within each group. A well-balanced diet provides all the nutrients needed to keep one healthy. Most healthy adults do not need vitamin or mineral supplements if they eat a proper variety of foods. There are no known advantages in consuming excessive amounts of any nutrient, and there may be risks in doing so. For you to get enough fuel from the food you eat and to obtain the variety of foods needed for nutrient balance, you should eat three meals a day. Even snacking between meals can contribute to good nutrition if the right foods are eaten. Another dietary guideline is to consume enough calories to meet your energy needs. Weight is maintained as long as the body is in energy balance.

 

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