Nutrients are molecules in food that all organisms need to make energy, grow, develop, and reproduce. Nutrients are digested and then broken down into basic parts to be used by the organism. There are two main types of nutrients, macronutrients and micronutrients. The three main categories of macronutrients include carbohydrate, protein, and fat. The two types of micronutrients are vitamins and minerals, and these are extra molecules that cells need to make energy. Let's take a look at the three groups of macronutrients we mentioned.

Making a trip to the grocery store can feel overwhelming: What foods should I stock up on? How many fruits and veggies should I buy? What about protein and snacks? Although you may generally know what foods are healthy, it's hard to determine just what you should be eating every day in order to stay healthy. A vast number of foods are both healthy and tasty. By filling your plate with fruits, vegetables, quality protein, and other whole foods, you’ll have meals that are colorful, versatile, and good for you.

Luckily, we've consulted registered dietitians and nutritionists who revealed what foods they swear by. So be sure to add these foods nutritionists eat to your grocery list and navigate the supermarket with ease. Who better to take some pointers from than the experts, right?

If you've been working hard to lose weight and find that the scale hasn't budged just yet, it may be time to take a second look at the ingredients you're routinely stocking in your kitchen. After all, you shouldn't be counting just calories on a new diet — some foods can silently pack on exorbitant sodium, whereas other items may have been processed past the point of no return. It's important to zero in on eliminating ultra-processed items that may be low or free of calories, but saturated in other additives: think soda and sugary faux juices, for example. But, for those who are having trouble with maintaining steady weight loss, it's also about what you're replacing these items with that could make the real difference.

Even though most of us get a baseline education in nutrition — or at least an outdated version of the food pyramid — in school, it’s easy to go through life without a clear understanding of what is and isn’t healthy. It doesn’t help that the clever marketing of food corporations looking to make more money advertises healthier options, but those foods are full of artificial ingredients, dangerous artificial sugars, and processed ingredients your body doesn’t know how to digest. 

What makes a food a superfood? More than just fuel for your body, superfoods yield benefits beyond the nutrients they provide, explains Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, Health contributing nutrition editor. So whether you’re eating to shed a few pounds, maintain a healthy weight, or for overall health, superfoods make the cut. In fact, you'll find these foods on healthy eating plans that include a variety of fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.