Diet

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Good health is fundamental to leading a full and active life and getting the right nutrition is an important step towards good health.

The word diet is often used to describe an eating plan intended to aid weight loss. However, diet really refers to the foods a person eats in the course of a day or week. The more balanced and nutritious the diet, the healthier the person can expect to be. A balanced diet means eating the right amount of foods from all food groups.

The benefits of a balanced diet are numerous. The right amount of vitamins and nutrients can increase life expectancy, by keeping the heart and body healthy, thereby preventing many long-term illnesses.

Body weight can also be kept to an acceptable level through healthy eating, leading to a fitter and more active lifestyle.

A balanced diet can lower the risk of infectious diseases and this is apparent in the reduction of diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and polio in England.