BALANCED DIET

BALANCED DIET written by Bunmi Lawal

Balanced diet simply means eating a wide variety of food in the right proportion with all the essential nutrients to achieve a healthy body weight and good health. Nutritionist opine that an ideal balanced diet should contain protein (meat, fish, milk) carbonhydrates (potatoes, rice, pasta) vitamins (fruits, vegetables) minerals, fat and oil, roughages, most especially water, in right amount as it has different metabolic rate and level of activity.

It is necessary that we ensure to eat a balanced diet everyday as it provides good nutrition for body organs and tissues to work effectively. This diet also consist of body building food, body protective food, and energy giving food needed for the body to be immune against wide spread of diseases, infection, fatigue, poor performance, preventing high death rate and risk of malnutrition. Including balanced diet in a child’s meal could enhance healthy growth and mental development.

However, it is advised to limit the intake of “empty calories” that provides little or no nutritional value in the body which could be in form of solid fat and sugar. Try to limit sugar and salt intake, avoid food contaminated by pathogens, moderate alcohol drinking, choose fresh food instead of processed foods also drink lots of water. Ensure you use starchy food as the base of your meal. In addition, eat lots of fruits and vegetables as it provides adequate nutritional value needed for body functions. It is also crucial to include physical activities to also attain physical well being. 

Finally, if you have questions about your diet or eating right you are advised to visit a doctor or nutritionist.