When people talk about the calories in food, what do they mean? A calorie is a unit of measurement—but it doesn't measure weight or length. A calorie is a unit of energy. When you hear something contains 100 calories, it's a way of describing how much energy your body could get from eating or drinking it.

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While sodium (commonly called salt) is vital for healthy nerves and muscles, most of us get too much salt in our diet, often from processed foods. Read food labels to help keep your sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day or less. Persons 51 and older, African Americans, or people who have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should limit sodium to 1500 milligrams daily.

WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/definitions-glossary

This number on a food label indicates how many grams of carbohydrates are in a single serving of a food.

WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/definitions-glossary

Vitamin A supports vision, immune health, and the maintenance of healthy skin and mucous membranes.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports immune health, collagen synthesis, and iron absorption.

Vitamin D helps maintain bone density and supports immune function by regulating calcium and phosphorus levels.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes and supports skin and immune health.

Thiamin (Vitamin B1) supports energy metabolism, nerve function, and glucose utilization.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) supports energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and antioxidant protection.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) supports energy metabolism, cardiovascular health, and healthy lipid levels.

Vitamin B6 supports amino acid metabolism, cognitive development, and immune function.

Folate is a B vitamin important for DNA synthesis, cell division, and prenatal development. It supports cardiovascular and neurological health.

Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis.

Biotin is a B vitamin (B7) essential for carbohydrate metabolism, skin, hair, and nail health. It also supports nervous system function.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) supports adrenal function, energy metabolism, and synthesis of coenzyme A.

Choline is a vital nutrient for brain health, liver function, and cellular membrane integrity. It also supports methylation and nervous system signaling.

Calcium is an essential mineral needed for bone density, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and overall structural support.

Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in muscle function, bone health, energy production, and nerve signaling.

Zinc is a trace mineral that supports immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.

Manganese is a trace mineral essential for bone development, metabolism, and antioxidant enzyme function.

Chromium is a trace mineral that plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity.

Molybdenum is a trace mineral that supports enzyme function and the breakdown of certain amino acids and toxins.

Boron is a trace mineral that supports bone health, hormone metabolism, and the body's use of other minerals like calcium and magnesium.