Why Is Food Important? Food affects everything about you. It influences how you look, feel, and act. It determines how well you grow. Food also affects your ability to work and play. Your physical health and mental alertness partly depend on the foods you eat, too. Food Affects Wellness The food you eat also affects your level of wellness. Wellness means being at the highest level of health. It is a blend of six factors: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, philosophical, and career (Figure 1.1). To be the healthiest version of you, all six factors need to be at their best. Wellness Factors Physical Wellness • eating a healthy diet • being physically active • getting enough sleep • taking steps to avoid injuries Social Wellness • building healthy relationships with family and friends • working to improve the world Emotional Wellness • feeling good about yourself, keeping friendships • having a positive outlook in both good and bad times Intellectual Wellness • keeping your mind active • learning new knowledge and skills Philosophical Wellness • knowing what's important to you • finding meaning and purpose in your life Career Wellness • having a good attitude about school and work • feeling good about what you achieve Top to bottom: Best Vector Elements/Shutterstock.com Leremy/Shutterstock.com notbad/Shutterstock.com MapensStudio/Shutterstock.com johavel/Shutterstock.com edel/Shutterstock.com Figure 1.1 Wellness is a blend of these six factors. What health choices do you make that support each factor? 5 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Food, Nutrition, and You