Food is a part of our culture. It’s important in our rituals, our religions, and our celebrations. We mark holidays, deaths, births, weddings, and milestones with food. We eat specific foods at specific times: popcorn at the movies, peanuts at the ball park, cake on our birthday.

And in our darkest hours, we comfort ourselves with it. Our days revolve around food. We hold important meetings over lunch, rejuvenate ourselves over a coffee break, and relax with family over dinner. Food brings a lot of joy to our lives.

And food is necessary for life itself. Your body requires it. But just any old food won’t do. The human body is very picky. For the body, food is not a source of joy but a source of fuel. All too often, people eat the wrong fuel, and that’s harmful. Out of balance and lacking in substance, the human body deteriorates, both physically and mentally.

The goal is to get the right kind of fuel to keep yourself and your family running smoothly. A healthy diet meets all nutritional needs. It’s not hard, but it does take forethought. Once you understand a few key elements, food can be both a source of joy and a source of energy.

Here it is in a nutshell: Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. These foods should make up the bulk of your diet. Choose lean meats and low-fat dairy foods, and avoid excess sugar. Last, but far from least, get plenty of exercise.