Nutrition
Everyone deserves good food. Good food fuels the mind and the body and is one key to a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life.
Eating a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to maintain and improve your overall health. It takes about 40 nutrients in order for our bodies to function properly.Different nutrients have different roles so it is important to eat a variety of foods particularly fruits and vegetables which contain a majority of our daily needs. For most people, any food can fit into a balanced diet if the portion size and frequency is right. What we choose to eat has a direct effect on our health, growth, and feeling of well-being.
This is true for everyone in spite of his or her age or current health status. Poor eating habits that result in too many calories and not enough nutrients increases the risk for disease and disability. Food-related diseases include obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, tooth decay, and some cancers.
These diseases affect the quality of life over a long period of time. They are costly to manage and cause early death. It is important that people know a proper diet can prevent or delay the onset of all of these illnesses.
It is the role of the Minnesota Department of Health to support efforts that:
- Promote healthy eating
- Stop or slow down food related disease through screening and detection
- Improve the quality of life for those already diagnosed with a chronic disease