Diet

diet

Diet refers to the usual pattern of food and drink a person consumes every day, including the types, amounts, and balance of nutrients. It shapes energy levels, body weight, and how well the body can repair itself and fight disease. A healthy eating pattern includes a variety of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, which together provide carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. What you eat regularly affects risk factors for many common conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain vision and nerve problems. Rather than focusing only on single nutrients, overall balance and variety in the diet tend to have the biggest impact on long-term health. Small, sustainable changes—like adding more vegetables, choosing whole grains, and cutting back on processed foods—can make a big difference over time. Diet also interacts with lifestyle factors such as physical activity, sleep, and stress, so it’s one piece of a larger health picture. Because food choices are something you can control daily, diet is one of the most powerful tools for preventing disease and supporting wellbeing.