Nutrition is the fifth component of the LEARN acronym. When it comes to nutrition, there is no magic, just common sense and rational eating. The key word to remember is balance. This means eating a variety of foods. One way to help you achieve dietary balance and variety is to follow the Food Guide Pyramid. This may sound elementary, but the message is important. The body needs a balance of nutrients. It does not function well with too little or too much of any nutrient. If your body needs a certain amount of vitamin E each day, you will be worse off with one-half that amount or with 100 times more. This is similar to making your favorite cake. Each ingredient is important. One ingredient may give the cake a very good taste, but too much will ruin it.

The design of the Food Guide Pyramid divides foods into five separate groups, plus a category for fats, oils, and sweets (see illustration below). Each group in the pyramid includes the suggested daily servings. At the top of the pyramid is the section containing foods that should be eaten sparingly. As the food groups progress downward toward the bottom of the pyramid, they make up a larger portion of the dietary intake. The Food Guide Pyramid is a useful way to help you get balance and variety in your diet

What you eats helps determine how healthy you are, which, in turn, influences how you cope with life both physically and psychologically. No matter what occupies your time, you'll be more effective if your body gets the fuel it needs. Being alert and fit-to have a healthy mind and body-requires a well-balanced diet. Feeling better about your body and your health helps you perform better at most everything and makes you feel good all over.