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What Is A Balanced Diet And Why Is It So Important?

Bansal Hospital Bhopal > Health Blogs > What Is A Balanced Diet And Why Is It
So Important?

  March 18, 2023

 

 Health

Do you also want to improve your eating habits but don’t know where to
start? The key is to eat a balanced diet. A balanced diet is essential to
contribute to a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. So let’s dive deeper into
what a balanced diet is, its benefits, and the nutrients you should look
for. 

Also, we’ll provide tips and tricks on incorporating a balanced diet into
your daily routine and some common mistakes to avoid. By following a
balanced diet, you’ll improve not only your physical health but your
emotional and mental health as well. So let’s get started on this journey
towards a healthier and happier you!

Table Of Contents

1. What Is A Balanced Diet?

2. What Does A Balanced Diet Comprises Of?
3. Why Is It Important To Have A Balanced Diet?
4. How To Follow A Balanced Diet?
5. 7 Common Mistakes To Avoid
6. The Final Say
7. FAQs
What Is A Balanced Diet?

A balanced diet provides all the essential nutritional value of food to the

body in appropriate quantities necessary for its growth, repair, and
maintenance. A well-rounded and balanced diet includes vegetables,
fruits, grains, protein, and dairy. 
An adequate amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fibres, fats, vitamins,
and minerals are essential to keep the body healthy and functioning
correctly. Consuming a balanced diet regularly is crucial for promoting
proper growth and development in children and maintaining an ideal
weight, muscle tone, and immunity.

A well-balanced diet has benefits for both physical and mental health. In
addition, it reduces the risk of chronic diseases. It can also help with
recovery from illness. Various food choices from the five food groups
should be consumed in specific recommended amounts to attain a well-
balanced diet. 

What Does A Balanced Diet Comprises Of?

A balanced diet comprises a specified amount of nutrients, including

carbohydrates, protein, and fats, in the ratio of 50-60%, 12-20%, and
30%, respectively. In addition, such a diet should also include food
items such as fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy products. 

The intake of a balanced diet ensures that one receives essential

nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required by the body. Children
especially need a balanced diet to promote proper growth and
development. When planning your diet, choosing a variety of foods is
essential to ensure your body acquires all the necessary nutrients. 
Why Is It Important To Have A Balanced Diet?

Eating a balanced diet can bring a wide range of benefits to your overall
health and well-being, including

1. Improved Physical Health

Eating a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight, lower the risk
of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, and
improve the immune system’s function.

2. Increased Energy Levels

A balanced diet gives the body the nutrients that are required to
function at its best, leading to increased energy levels and improved
productivity.

3. Better Digestion
A balanced diet that includes plenty of fibre can improve digestion,
reduce constipation and bloating, and improve gut health.

4. Stronger Bones And Teeth

A diet that includes adequate nutrients and minerals like calcium,
magnesium, and vitamin D helps build and maintain strong bones and
teeth.

5. Improved Skin Health

Eating a balanced diet that involves plenty of fruits, vegetables, and
healthy fats can improve skin health, reducing the risk of acne,
premature ageing, and other skin conditions.
 6. Improved Mental Health
Studies have shown that a balanced diet can positively impact mental
health, reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

How To Follow A Balanced Diet?

Following a balanced diet involves eating various foods from all food
groups in the right proportions to provide the nutrients and energy your
body needs. Here are some tips to help you follow a balanced diet

1. Include A Variety Of Fruits And Vegetables

Aim for at least five portions of fruits and vegetables each day.

2. Eat Whole Grains

Choose whole-grain bread, brown rice, quinoa, and oats instead of
refined grains.

3. Include Protein-Rich Foods

Choose lean meat, fish, poultry, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds.

4. Consume Dairy Or Dairy Alternatives

Products like milk, yoghurt, and cheese are good sources of calcium and
other essential nutrients.

5. Limit Unhealthy Fats And Sugars

Avoid saturated and trans fats found in processed foods, sugary drinks,
and sweets.
 6. Drink Plenty Of Water
You should aim for at least eight glasses of water each day in order to
stay physically fit.

7. Monitor Portion Sizes

Use a smaller plate, avoid second servings, and eat mindfully.

8. Seek Professional Advice

Consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist about developing a
personalised balanced diet plan based on your individual needs and
preferences.

7 Common Mistakes To Avoid

Following a balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health and

preventing chronic diseases. However, it’s easy to make mistakes that
can hinder your progress towards a healthy diet. Here are some basic
mistakes to avoid while following a balanced diet

1. Skipping Meals
Skipping meals may seem like a good idea to reduce calorie intake, but
it may lead to over-eating and poor food choices later in the day.

2. Not Eating Enough Fruits And Vegetables

Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibre
essential for good health. Therefore, you must include at least five
servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
 3. Relying Too Much On Processed Foods
Processed foods are mostly high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sugars,
which can contribute to weight gain and weight loss and poor health
outcomes.

4. Not Drinking Enough Water

Water is essential for good health and helps keep you hydrated. Intend
to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day.

5. Consuming Too Much Salt

High salt consumption can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease
and stroke risk. Try to limit your salt intake and avoid adding extra salt
to your meals.

6. Skipping Breakfast
Breakfast is an important meal of the day, and skipping it can lead to
overeating later in the day. Aim to have a healthy breakfast every day to
help kickstart your metabolism.

7. Consuming Too Much Saturated And Trans Fats

Saturated and trans fats can increase the level of cholesterol and heart
disease risk. So try to limit your intake of foods that contain high
saturated and trans fats, like red meat, fried foods, and baked goods.

Conclusion
A balanced diet is crucial to maintain good health, preventing chronic
diseases, increasing energy levels, and improving the overall quality of
life. It involves consuming various nutrient-dense foods in the proper
proportions, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and
minerals. Mindful, healthy eating is vital for overall wellness. This mouth-
watering debate about healthy food vs junk food clarifies that healthy food
options are good for health. Unfortunately, junk food is preferred more due to
its low cost and easy availability. The nutrient value in healthy food is high as
they are rich in proteins, minerals, and macronutrients, while junk food has
meager nutritional benefits. Unfortunately, due to the fantastic taste, junk food
is very addictive. For a healthier life, it’s essential to have healthier eating
habits.