Human Nutrition

What is a Balanced Diet?

A balanced diet is a diet that contains the right proportion of all the essential nutrients required for the proper growth and development of the human body. It includes a variety of foods from the major food groups, such as:

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water

Components of a Balanced Diet

Carbohydrates:

• Provide energy for the body
• Found in foods like bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes

Proteins:

• Necessary for growth and repair of body tissues
• Found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, and legumes

Fats:

• Provide energy and insulation for the body
• Found in foods like oils, butter, and nuts

Vitamins and Minerals:

• Essential for maintaining good health and preventing deficiency diseases
• Found in a variety of fruits and vegetables

Water:

• Crucial for maintaining the body's fluid balance and carrying nutrients to cells
• Obtained from drinking water and other beverages, as well as from food