Nutrition is the process of getting and using the food your body needs to grow, heal, and have energy. When you eat an apple or a sandwich, your body breaks down that food into nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals that keep you healthy and strong.

Good nutrition means eating a variety of foods that give your body what it needs. Your muscles need protein to grow stronger. Your bones need calcium to stay solid. Your brain needs certain fats and vitamins to think clearly and remember things. Athletes pay close attention to nutrition because the right foods help them perform better and recover faster after competitions.

The word also describes the scientific study of how food affects health. Nutritionists are experts who help people understand which foods provide the best fuel for their bodies. They might explain why eating vegetables matters or why your body needs water throughout the day.

Poor nutrition happens when someone doesn't get enough of the right nutrients, either from not eating enough food or from eating mostly foods without much nutritional value. A bag of chips might fill your stomach, but it doesn't provide the nutrients your body needs to thrive. That's why nutrition means giving your body the specific building blocks it needs to work properly, whether you feel full or not.