Food is anything that people, plants or animals consume to get the energy and nourishment they need to stay alive. It can also provide pleasure, comfort, or social connection. People may grow some of their own food, buy it ready-made in shops or markets, or receive it from friends and family. Food is essential for life, but not everyone has access to nutritious food. Many people around the world eat diets high in fat, salt, and sugar. Others eat too little and are at risk of malnutrition.
Food production and processing is vital to our modern lifestyles. It is a complex and diverse field, encompassing scientific knowledge from many disciplines such as chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and engineering. Food science integrates these areas of expertise to produce safe, wholesome food for consumption.
A healthy eating plan combines foods from all the different food groups to provide the nutrients your body needs. Choose a variety of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats.
Eating well can help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions. Try to limit processed foods, such as cakes, biscuits, cookies, chocolate, and soft drinks with added sugar, and instead eat more fresh fruit, veg, low-fat yogurt, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fish, and lean meats. Try to drink less alcohol and more water.
Stress can impact your eating habits. When you’re feeling stressed it can be tempting to eat more, but overeating and choosing high-stress foods like fast food or processed snacks can make you feel worse. Try to relax more and find healthier ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with friends and family.
The 10 Best Foods for a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet is key to good health. Try to fill your plate with a mixture of foods from each group every day, with the majority of your food coming from plant-based sources (fruits, veg, and beans), whole grains, and healthy fats. It’s also important to choose organic and free-range options when possible, as they are usually better for the environment and animals. You can also reduce your salt and sugar intake by choosing foods that aren’t heavily processed or packaged, and by reading the ingredients list on labels.