As we all strive to provide a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet to all our family members on a regular basis. That is why we thought it was time to talk about the importance of a balanced diet and why it is important to maintain it. We already know that a balanced diet means healthy eating. But that’s not all it means.
What is a balanced diet?
A balanced diet is a diet that includes all food groups in the right proportion. The famous saying, “too much of anything” is the right way to look at a balanced lifestyle. Making sure we eat a balanced diet that includes enough nutrients, vitamins, healthy fats, etc. is a good start to living a healthy life.
Healthy foods
A good example of a balanced diet is to fill half of the plate with vegetables, fruits, and salads and the rest with rice, roti, etc. carbohydrates. That means eating only enough of the protein and carbohydrates you need.
Why is a balanced diet important for the body?
It is essential that everyone gets the right amount of nutrients that their body needs to function well. You get the right nutrients through a balanced diet. As a result, it is extremely beneficial to your health and longevity. A balanced diet enables people to build good immunity and fight diseases faster.
Following a healthy diet not only improves our physical fitness but also our mental state. On the other hand, consuming a lot of fast food and other unhealthy foods slows down our bodies.
What components should be contained in a balanced diet?
A balanced diet should have the following components: There are seven components that you should include in every meal to maintain optimal health. They are
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide energy and should account for approximately 30% of your diet. If you are active throughout the day, it is not a problem to eat a few more carbohydrate-rich foods.
Vitamins
Vitamins A, B, C, and D are the ones you should look closely at, but there are many more. It is very important to get these from your diet, especially fruits and vegetables. You should allocate 25% of your total diet to vitamins.
Mineral salts
Minerals help release energy from the food we eat to promote organ health. Essential are iron, calcium, iodine, potassium, and sodium.
Unsaturated fats
Unsaturated fats are the good fats needed to keep the body healthy. They help regulate the body temperature and absorb vitamins from food.
Protein
Protein is one of the most essential components. Protein helps build healthy muscles, skin, and hair. You should allocate 25% of your total diet to protein.
Fiber
A small amount of fiber not only helps you feel full, but it also aids in digestion. In addition, fiber is also important for maintaining cholesterol levels.
Water
Drinking water is very essential for our health. No other drink can heal our bodies like water. Besides hydrating the body, it helps keep everything together. Our bodies need at least eight glasses daily.
It is very important to add these 7 ingredients to your diet in the correct proportions.
Calories Needed for a Balanced Diet
The amount of calories in food means the amount of energy stored in that food. The body needs energy for all daily activities, including walking, thinking, breathing, etc. Although the average adult needs about 2,000 calories to gain energy and maintain weight, the amount varies by age, gender, and physical activity.
So get used to a balanced diet and strive to make yourself and your family healthy. It will keep you happy all the time.