There is no lack of nutrition data available to those who want to learn about health. Federal guidelines for a balanced diet and labels on every food product sold in the United States provide information. For more information, or for alternative views, there are too many nutritional guides and online sites to assimilate.

If you are just beginning a study of good food choices, the federal guidelines are not a bad place to start. You will get an overview of conventional wisdom about minimum daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, calories, protein, fats, and fiber. The human body is very efficient if given the nutrients it needs; a good diet is the foundation of health.

One complication is that not everyone is the same. Food that sustains one person might give another an allergy attack or gastric distress. Regularity might be usual for one person, who needs little fiber, while another might struggle for proper elimination no matter how much whole food is consumed.

Food can contain allergens that make it indigestible for a person who will get little or no nutrition out of it. Foods can also be laced with preservatives, artificial flavors and colors (that can trigger hyperactivity in children), sweeteners, sodium, or spices that might make it a poor choice. Fresh produce can be tainted with pesticide residue and could even be genetically modified.

It is important to know what is in the food you plan to eat, in order to avoid empty calories or allergens. You should also know where it comes from. Produce that is imported might have been grown in an area with lax control over pesticide and herbicide use. If it comes from a country with strict controls, it could be premium fare. Remember that produce from far away was probably ripened during shipment, sprayed with fungicide, and could have lost much of its nutritional value.

There are many books and online sites, often written by a medical doctor. Herbalists and natural food advocates also have valuable information to share. Sources may differ greatly in content. One expert may advocate whole grains as a dietary foundation, while another may suggest avoiding grains altogether. Some say fat is to be eliminated, while others say it is necessary for energy, mental alertness, and proper development in children.

Make sure that your sources are reputable and not cleverly disguised advertisements for certain foods or programs. Find facts that many experts agree on or which are supported by clinical research, factor in your own needs and sensitivities, and choose what advice you will follow. Nutrition data is great if you use it as a guide rather than getting discouraged by the scope and variety.