Obviously, death eventually occurs without food. But unlike air, food does so much more than simply sustain life. Food is loaded with per- sonal, social, and cultural meanings that define our food values, beliefs, and customs. That food nourishes the mind as well as the body broadens nutrition to an art as well as a science. For most people, nutrition is not simply a matter of food or no food but rather a question of what kind, how much, and how often. Merging want with need and pleasure with health are key to achieving optimal nutritional status.