Why is it important to eat a wide variety of food as part as a healthy diet?

Eating a varied diet (lots of servings of fruits and vegetables), some healthy fats, lean meats, low fat dairy products, will allow you to get all of the different vitamins and minerals you need, as well as carbohydrates, protein, and fats.

Each food contributes different vitamins and minerals (like vitamin c from Oranges, potassium from bananas). Eating all types of different foods will help you get all of those. Fruits and vegetables also have lots of antioxidants, which some studies show help prevent cancer.