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A balanced diet refers to intake of appropriate types and adequate amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for the maintenance of body cells, tissues, and organs, and to support normal growth and development.
A well-balanced diet acts to provide sources of energy and nutrition for optimal growth and development.
Milk group (milk and milk products)
An unbalanced diet can cause problems with maintenance of body tissues, growth and development, brain and nervous system function, as well as problems with bone and muscle systems.
The term "balanced" simply means that a diet adequately meets your nutritional needs while not providing any nutrients in excess. To achieve a balanced diet, you must consume a variety of foods from each of the food groups.
There are several guidelines available to help a person plan their balanced diet. They include:
General Guidelines
The most important step to eating a balanced diet is to educate yourself about what your body needs, and read the nutrition label and ingredients of all the food you eat.
New dietary guidelines set forth by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA), recommend fewer calories and smarter food choices.
Some of the key recommendations:
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Rockville, MD: US Dept of Health and Human Services and US Dept of Agriculture; 2005.
Review Date:3/8/2006
Reviewed By:Caroline M. Apovian, M.D., F.A.C.N., Associate Professor of Mediicne, Boston University School of Medicine and Director, Nutrition & Weight Management Center, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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