Food Groups

Food provides essential substances called nutrients. The body needs to keep its different systems working smoothly. Nutrition is important for all organisms. Foods are grouped together because they provide similar amounts of the key nutrients. It is important for each individual to maintain a balanced diet. A balanced diet should contain an adequate amount of all the nutrients required by the body. Consuming too little of one nutrient can lead to deficiency diseases and too much of a nutrient can lead to overnutrition and other nutritional diseases.