Finish the phrase: Balance ______ to manage weight.

The phrase "Balance calories to manage weight" is correct as it emphasizes the fundamental concept of energy balance in weight management. Managing weight effectively involves understanding the relationship between the calories consumed through food and beverages and the calories expended through physical activity and bodily functions. When you consume more calories than you burn, the excess energy is stored as fat, leading to weight gain. Conversely, burning more calories than you consume can result in weight loss.

Focusing on calorie balance encourages individuals to pay attention to their dietary choices and activity levels, which is essential for weight management. It highlights the importance of not just what individuals eat, but also how much and how that interacts with their overall lifestyle. This understanding is key for anyone looking to maintain, lose, or even gain weight in a healthy manner.

The other options, while important aspects of overall health and wellness, do not specifically address the primary mechanism for managing weight as directly as calories do. Nutrients contribute to health through the quality of the diet, hydration plays a critical role in maintaining bodily functions and can influence appetite, and exercise supports calorie expenditure and muscle maintenance, but none of these elements are as directly focused on weight management as balancing calories.