What is balanced diet and why is it important?
What is a balanced diet?
when we think about What is balanced diet and why is it important? let see, A balanced diet is a diet in which we get all the nutrients in the appropriate amounts for maintaining a healthy life. There are 2 micronutrients and 3 macronutrients. We require these nutrients for maintaining the right amount of calories per day for a healthy life.
Nutrition
We get nutrition from food and beverages. Different food provides different nutrition to our body and every nutrient carries different calories.
Macronutrients
Macronutrients are the nutrients, and we need in larger amounts. They provide more calories to maintain a normal body and to carry out daily activities. There are the 3 macronutrients that are
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fats
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are a very important nutrient. They are not required in larger amounts but deficiency of any micronutrients will impact body health and cause severe and life-threatening conditions. Micronutrients play important role in our growth and in metabolism. These are the 2 micronutrients that are
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Carbohydrate
In our daily diet, the main source of energy is carbohydrates because they provide more energy to carry out our daily activities. 55 to 65 percent of calories comes out from carbohydrate. The main source of carbohydrates are cereals, pulses, and legumes.
Protein
Protein is one of the building blocks of body tissues, cells, muscles, and use as a reverse fuel source. Protein is also known as amino acids there is a total of 20 amino acids of which 9 are essential and 11 are non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids mean our body can’t produce them so we have to take them from food. We need 0.8 to 1gm of protein per kg of body weight daily. The main source of protein is Non-veg, Egg, Milk products, Nuts.
Fats
Fats come in two from saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are unhealthy fats more saturated fats will cause heart problems and increase cholesterol levels. Where unsaturated fats are healthy fats they lower down the risk of heart diseases and lower cholesterol levels. 25 to 30 percent of fat need per day from daily calories. Fats are also important because many vitamins are only absorbed by fats. The main sources of fats are plant-based oils, milk products, coconut, nuts.
Vitamins
Vitamin is needed for normal cells function, growth, and development of cells. Every vitamin plays an important job in the body. If you didn’t have vitamins your body didn’t work properly. There are two groups of vitamins.
- Fat soluble vitamins- these type of vitamins are only absorbed by fats. The four fat soluble vitamins- vitamin A, D, E, and K.
- Water soluble vitamins- these type of vitamins are absorbed by the water. The two vitamins are vitamin C and vitamin B.
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Minerals
Minerals are very important for our body to stay healthy. Minerals are needed for the proper functioning of the heart and brain. Minerals also help in the growth of our muscles and bones. It’s also important to make enzymes and hormones.
Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamins and minerals. Have them in raw and cooked form for better results and absorption. Try to have different and colorful fruits every day. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the best and easily available. we understood what is balanced diet and why is it important now let’s follow for a good healthy life
