What Is Meant By Balanced Diet?

Developing and maintaining a healthy diet should be the goal of everyone. Dietary habits play very important role in the health and mortality of all humans. Our diet should consist of all essential vitamins, proteins, minerals and other nutrients which are important for proper functioning of our body. But unfortunately, only 35% of the population gets the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables each day. And it is estimated that unhealthful eating contributes to more than 300,000 deaths per year.

Sometimes it becomes very important to change the dietary habits for those people who are at risk for some diseases or they already have some chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, ulcers, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Balanced diet should consist of…

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development.

Nutritional supplements;

Healthy adults choosing a variety of foods from each of the food groups shouldn't need a vitamin and mineral supplement. Their diet will be enough to provide them the required nutrients.

Certain population groups, such as pregnant women, the elderly and children, may benefit from taking a nutritional supplement.

Dietary supplement consists of nutrients  such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, that may be missing or may not be consumed in sufficient quantities in a person's diet.

Sources of a balanced diet;

Here are some main sources of a balanced diet; 

Macronutrients;

Fat

Cholesterol

Protein

Carbohydrate

Fiber

Micronutrients;

            Sodium

            Potassium

            Calcium

Other energy sources;

Energy

Calories from solid fats

Calories from added sugars

Some important points;

And finally here are some important suggestion regarding to your balanced diet are following;

1. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods that is, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

2. Make sure that your diet should include green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits.

3. Eat more fish and nuts

4. Your cholesterol intake should be below 300 milligrams per day.

5. Maintain a desirable weight. Don’t avoid exercise and other physical activities.

6. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that are deep in color, such as the dark orange of a carrot or the deep green of spinach.

7. Reduce intake of sugars or choose an unrefined sugar, such as honey.

8. Keep a positive attitude focusing on long term results.

9. Drink plenty of water.