A healthy diet is one that helps to maintain or improve overall health.A healthy diet provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid adequate essential amino acids from protein essential fatty acids vitamins, minerals and adequate calories. The requirements for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods. A healthy diet supports energy needs and provides for human nutrition without exposure to toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming excessive amounts. Where lack of calories is not an issue a properly balanced diet (in addition to exercise) is also thought to be importafor lowering health risks such as obesity heart disease type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.