Vitamins are any of several organic substances that usually are separated into water-soluble and fat-soluble groups. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble, which means they stay in your body until you need them. B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble. In all there are 13 vitamins that your body needs: A, D, E, K, C and 8 different B vitamins.

You can get all of these vitamins from the food you eat. Also, with the help of sunlight, your skin can make vitamin D. Your own body can also make vitamin K. You can get the vitamins that you need by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and meats.

The importance of good nutrition is nothing new and today, good nutrition is more important than ever. The keys to good nutrition are balance, variety and moderation. To stay healthy, your body needs the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein --the three main components of nutrition.

You also need vitamins, minerals and other substances from many different foods, and while some foods are better than others, no single food or food group has it all--so eating a variety of different foods is essential.

Moderation means eating neither too much nor too little of any food or nutrient. Too much food can result in excess weight and even too much of certain nutrients, while eating too little can lead to numerous nutrient deficiencies and low body mass.