THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION The food you eat should do three things:

• * Build up your body and keep it in good repair. Protein and minerals are the body's building blocks. They are found in meat, fish, eggs, milk products, and in combinations of grains.
• Provide the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and bulk that your body mast have in order to stay healthy You'll find plenty of nutrition in fruits and vegetables, and essential bulk and fiber in these and other foods.
• Serve as a source of energy for everything you do. There is fuel in every- thing you eat, especially breads, grains, fats, and oils.

Many people choose not to eat certain foods because of family background, religious beliefs, or medical restrictions. Vegetarians, for example, avoid meat, but combinations of grains give them diets with plenty of protein.

Don't pass up chances to try different kinds of meals. Eating new dishes is a fun way to learn about other parts of the country and about foreign customs.

MYPYRAMID

One size does not fit all. The USDA's MyPyramid symbolizes a personalized approach to healthy eating combined with physical activity. The pyramid is different for everyone, but the basic daily suggestions are - 6 ounces of grains, 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of milk, 5 1/2 ounces of meat and beans, and about 7 teaspoons of oils. Among the USDA's recommendations are the suggestions to get most of your daily fat from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils; limit solid fats like butter and the foods that contain them; and keep saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and added sugars as low as possible. You can read more about the pyramid and the USDA's dietary recommendations at http//www.mypyramtd.gov.