A compact and complete text on the subject. Deals with the human food choices and eating patterns as well as their impact on the health and well-being. Provides basic information about individual nutrient of high importance along with the latest recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) and dietary guidelines. Suggests techniques of planning for nutritionally balanced diet through food pyramid. Transcends into nutritional and dietary considerations in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and other special life stages such as pregnancy, lactation, and old age. Focuses on malnutrition problems through nutritional deficiency disorders and some of the diet-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and osteoporosis along with national policies and programs to attain food and nutrition security. Presents the emerging topics such as fortification, irradiation, biotechnology, functional foods, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, pre- and probiotic, nanotechnology and nutrigenomics, and role of nutrition in sports persons, astronauts, and mountaineers.