What Is Optimum Nutrition?

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Optimum nutrition can be defined as eating the right nutrients at the right times to achieve the healthiest, longest possible life. Some define optimum nutrition more narrowly as the correct diet to achieve the best possible performance in a particular sport or athletic event.

Optimum nutritional requirements may vary by genetic variations, environment and physical demands. However, a general principle is to obtain the proper balance of fiber, protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and probiotic bacteria. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index recommends, for example, four times as much fish and poultry as red meat and five servings of vegetables and four servings of fruit per day, along with one serving of nuts or vegetable protein, such as soy.