Balanced diet

 Balanced diet is the food consumed in it's adequate proportion. Diet is otherwise known as a food eaten by an individual or an organism for healthy lifestyle. It implies the intake of nutrients for human development. A balanced diet sustain lives whereby delay illness of an individual. Diet that is balance happens to serve as maintenance, reproduction, growth, nourishment, development and sustenance of man. For a balanced nutrition,a food must contain the following nutrients:

- Carbohydrates

- Protein

- Fat

- Minerals

- Vitamin

- Water

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a major source of energy of our body, and they come mainly from grains, such as rice and noodles. Besides, fruit, root vegetables, dry beans and dairy products also contain carbohydrates.

Proteins

Meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy products, dry beans and bean products are good sources of protein. Its major functions include building, repairing and maintaining healthy body tissues.

Fats

Fats can be found in foods such as meat, fish, seafood, dairy products, nuts, seeds and oils. Fats serve as an energy source. They prevent heat loss in extreme cold weather and protect organs against shock. They are responsible for making up part of our body cells and transporting fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and K.

Vitamins

There are many kinds of vitamins from various food groups and they participate in different body metabolism such as maintaining healthy skin and hair, building bones and releasing and utilizing energy from foods. Vitamins can be classified into water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.

Minerals

Minerals are a group of essential nutrients which regulate many body functions such as fluid balance, muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses. Some minerals also contribute to body structure and build strong and healthy bones, such as calcium

Water

Water is the most abundant substance in human body and is also an essential nutrient to maintain our health. The major functions of water include regulation of body temperature, production of body fluids, transportation of nutrients and removal of waste products.

Dietary fibre can as well be one of the classes of nutrients

Dietary fibre

Dietary fibre is the indigestible part found in plant. It helps stabilize blood sugar, promote gastrointestinal health and prevent constipation. Dietary fibre can be classified into soluble and insoluble fibre.

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