by Leann Zotis

Created on: July 05, 2008   Last Updated: May 14, 2010

Every living creature, in order to survive, must eat. Every creature that eats is participating in the process of nutrition. There's no getting around that. Eating and breathing are the most basic acts of existence. The question of nutrition must be defined more sharply - good nutrition versus poor nutrition; proper nutrition versus inadequate nutrition.  Nutrition, according to the definition in Webster's dictionary, is the act of being nourished, or to sustain with nourishment.

As we eat, seeking to survive, we will come into contact with a certain amount of nutrient rich foods. It's inevitable. Even a hamburger at the local fast food joint provides protein. Snack foods usually contain some level of fiber, maybe a vitamin or a mineral or two. Ice cream will provide calcium. No one would seriously consider the above mentioned food items to be the cornerstone of nutrition.  Still, no matter how poorly we are eating we will stumble across some basic nutrients to keep us alive. All of us can name a few individuals in our circle of friends and acquaintances who have somehow managed to subsist for years, maybe decades, on junk food. We look at them, wonder why they are still alive, and go about our business of living our own lives.

To be truly healthy and physically fit, we must devote some specific attention to our nutritional needs. We are fortunate to live in a world where medical and scientific advances enable us to understand and appreciate the value that certain foods in our diet have over other food choices.  We are also fortunate to be able to access the nutritional value of most foods through nutritional labels on packages.  We know that calcium is essential to good bone health. We know that certain levels of vitamins in our diets will prevent illness and physical deterioration as we age. We know the health dangers that come with eating too much saturated fat, cholesterol or sugar.

Developments in recent decades have put access to this nutritional knowledge right at our fingertips, literally. Thanks to the Food and Drug Administration, most foods that we might purchase packaged at our local grocery store come with a nutritional label. We don't even have to study, investigate or ask questions to find out where the best sources of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals or anti-oxidants can be found. Nutrition labels will tell us how much of a food to eat in order to reap the benefits of the nutrients.

Good health is a gift not to be taken lightly. Just as we know that cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or drug abuse can kill, we know that the foods we eat contribute to the overall present and future state of our physical and mental well-being. Proper nutrition provides the building blocks for a healthy body in our early years of life, the maintenance blocks to support our good health throughout our lives, and the recovery blocks necessary to restore our healthy systems whenever disease or injury may occur.

The best recipe for a healthy life is taking care of yourself. Don't expect a medical miracle to undo the damage caused of years of neglect and abuse. The foundation of a healthy life is to supply what your body needs to survive and to thrive. The foundation of a healthy life is built on a solid base of good nutrition. Knowing what to eat, and then eating it with a high level of regularity, will provide your body with the energy and essential nutrients you need to achieve the most that you can be in your life.

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