ABSTRACT
The science of nutrition encompasses all the interactions that occur between living organisms and the nutrients in food. Since food choice affects multiple aspects of health including physical and mental performance and the ability to battle illness, deal with stress, and prevent disease, the importance of an adequate or perhaps optimal nutritional intake should not be underestimated. Eating a variety of foods is the key to good nutrition and to providing different textures, flavors, colors, and odors, which are all important components of food. The pyramid also promotes choosing nutrient-dense foods meaning that there is a relatively rich supply of nutrients in comparison with energy content. Foods like salad dressings, cream, butter, margarine, sugars, soft drinks, and colas, candies, and sweet deserts, along with alcoholic beverages, may tantalize the taste buds but when consumed in excess, can wreak havoc on a balanced diet.
