Balanced Diet- An Essential for Well Being

A balanced diet is defined as one which contains different items of foods in such quantities and proportions that the need of all the nutrients is adequately met. The need of food for the body is for the following purposes:

1. For energy
2. Body building
3. Protection against diseases
4. Normal functioning of the body processes

1. For energy

Energy is provided through nutrients like carbohydrates and fats. Energy is required for the functioning of the cells of different tissues during rest and also for doing physical work. The foods rich in carbohydrates and fats are called ‘energy yielding foods’. Cereals, roots, tubers, dried fruits, sugar, etc come under this category.

2. Body building

Foods rich in proteins and minerals are called ‘body building foods’. These provide material for tissue building, growth and body repair. Proteins are needed to supply the materials for the building and continuous replacement of the cell throughout life. Minerals like iron, calcium and phosphorus control the formation of blood and skeletal tissue. Milk, fish, eggs, pulses, oil seeds, green vegetables and nuts are included in this group.

3. Protection against diseases

Foods rich in vitamins and minerals are termed ‘protective foods’. Vitamins play an important role in regulating body processes like growth, eyesight, skin, teeth and good digestion. They protect the general health of the individual. Minerals control some of the physiological processes of the body. Milk, egg, liver, green leafy vegetables and fruits are included in this group.

4. Normal functioning of the body processes

Water is required in large amounts to regulate body processes such as digestion, secretion, maintenance of body temperature and the electrolyte balance. These are known as the ‘regulatory functions of the food’.

So the diet that contains various food stuffs, such as energy yielding foods, body building foods, protective foods and regulatory foods in the correct proportions so that an individual is assured of obtaining the minimum daily requirements of all the nutrients is known as a ‘BALANCED DIET’.