What is a balanced diet?

Posted by Chidinma on Tuesday March 3, 2015 at 10:52:18:

For those who went to some form of primary education, one of the basic things they've learn from school is that one needs to maintain a balanced diet in order to live a healthy life. What really is a Balanced diet? Do Nigerians eat balanced diet?

A balanced diet is a food that contains all the classes of food and these includes carbohydrates, protein, fats/oil, vitamins and minerals. One should have a balanced diet at every meal and not just frequently.

There are six classes of food, and a balanced diet contains all six of them.

I will outline all the six classes of food and their functions and examples of foods in each class, I will conclude by giving an example of a meal that contains all the six classes of food.

1. Carbohydrate: this class of food if very popular in our side of the world; in fact all the major foods we eat have a large of carbohydrate; the main function of carbohydrates is to supply the body with energy to carry out daily function. Examples include; rice, yam, bread.

2. Protein: this is the second popular class of food; its function is to replenish damaged cells in the body; and also to aide growth in children. Examples of food high in proteins include; beans, eggs, meat, cowpea.

3. Vitamins: there are about 13 types of vitamins; vitamins help all the organs of the body to function well; also they help in energy metabolism, for good skin and healthy vision. Fruits and vegetables are the highest supplements of vitamins.

4. Minerals: the main function of mineral is to provide strong teeth and bones, and also gives your skeletal body to maintain its rigidity; and help to build up to the immune system. Examples of foods that contain high quantity of minerals include; banana, salt, beans, lentils.

5. Fats and Oil: fats and oil absorbs certain nutrients in the body and helps to body to maintain its temperature. Foods that contains fats and oil include; vegetable oil and avocado.

6. Water: Amidst other functions, water helps to aid digestion.
Example of a food that contain balanced diet is Rice, stew and chicken and fish.