What You Eat Helps Determines How Healthy You'll Be

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Quick! Do you know the five food groups?

They are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. We choose our foods from all of these groups, but which are the healthiest?

Actually all are quite good but if you had to choose the best for you they would be whole grains, either no- or low-fat dairy and a health percentage of lean meats and fish.

There are certain times you need to add to tehse groups or fortify with vitamins. For instance, during pregnancy you also need folic acid every day. This vitamin can help prevent serious birth defects. Actually it's best to have enough in your body before you become pregnant.

Even if you are not pregnant you get folic acid and great vitamin support by eating vegetables like spinach and broccoli.   What you put in to your body helps determine how healthy you will be.