Human Nutrition

The application of nutritional principles to regulation of the diet and feeding persons or groups of persons.

UF/IFAS fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to develop innovative solutions addressing food, nutrition, and health challenges in Florida and beyond. The UF Food is Medicine (FiM) Initiative plays a central role in this mission, leveraging UF’s expertise across agriculture, Extension, research, teaching, and clinical and nutrition sciences to improve health and strengthen communities.

Foods that are considered, by nature or manufacture, to contain significant levels of biologically active components which provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

MyPlate is the latest graphic from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed to represent a healthful approach to eating that promotes health and reduces risk of disease. The graphic uses a place setting to illustrate the familiar five food groups, Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Protein Foods and Dairy. Choosing nutrient-rich foods in amounts that support a healthy weight are two keys to building a healthful diet.

Any substance normally consumed as a constituent of food: which provides energy; or which is needed for growth and development and maintenance of healthy life; or a deficit of which will cause characteristic biochemical or physiological changes to occur.  [AGROVOC]