A balanced meal gives your body the nutrients it needs to function perfectly. To ensure you get the nutrition you need, most of your calories should come from:
Fresh fruits
Whole grains
Fresh vegetables
Nuts
Legumes
Lean proteins
Why is a balanced diet important?
Well balanced meals are believed to supply the nutrients our body needs to work optimally. Without a balanced diet, our body becomes more prone to infection, disease, fatigue, and low performance.
Children that do not receive enough healthy foods may face growth & developmental problems, frequent infections, and poor academic performance down the line. Over time, they can also develop unhealthy eating habits, which may persist into adulthood.
What to eat for a balanced diet?
A healthy, well-balanced diet will usually include essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, carbohydrates, including starches and fibre, protein, healthy fats.
A balanced diet consists of a host of foods from the following groups:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Grains
- Dairy
- Protein foods
Those who follow a vegan diet focus entirely on plant-based foods. They do not eat meat, fish, or dairy, and their diet will include other items with similar nutrients.
Fruits
Not only are fruits nutritious, but they also make a tasty snack or dessert while satisfying your sweet tooth.
Fruits are high in sugar, which is essential for our health. They provide fibre and other nutrients, meaning they are less likely to cause a sugar spike. Not to mention that they will boost the body’s supply of antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals.
Vegetables
Vegetables are a vital source of essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Eat various vegetables with different colours for a full range of nutrients. Dark, leafy greens are a comprehensive source of many nutrients, including:
- Spinach
- Green beans
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Collard greens
- Swiss chard
- Grains
Refined white flour is featured in some bread & baked goods, but it has restricted nutritional value. This is because much of the goodness is in the grain’s hull, or outer shell, which manufacturers remove during processing.
Proteins
Meats and beans are primary protein sources, essential for wound healing, muscle maintenance, and development.
Animal protein: Healthy animal-based options include:
- Red meats, such as beef and mutton
- Poultry, such as chicken and turkey
- Fish such as salmon, sardines, and other oily fish
- A varied and healthy diet usually contains plenty of fresh, plant-based foods and restricts the intake of processed foods.
If you have questions about your balanced diet or feel that you need to lose some extra pounds or change your eating habits, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor or consult a dietician.
They can suggest dietary changes to help you get the nutrition you need while promoting your overall health. At Eat2BHealthy, we can help you create a well-balanced diet plan to help you achieve your goals. Please visit our website if you are interested in learning more.