Question No 2
Question No 2
Shajeer. S
BCH 10-05-03
THE IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED DIET
What is a diet ?
Diet refers to the food and drinks that we consume daily.
A balanced diet :
One which contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals,
vitamins, water
and fibre in the correct quantities and proportions.
- must contain the right amount of energy to enable a person to meet
his daily activities.
- In order to stay healthy.
- The composition of balanced diet varies from one individual to another,
according to :
1. Age
2. Size
3. Sex
4. Job/occupation
5. Physical activity
6. Climate
7. State of health
Age:
growing children and young people are
very
active and require more energy.
older people do not need to eat as
much food
(less active and do not grow any more).
Body size :
the bigger a person is, the more food
he or she is need to survive.
the rate of metabolism is higher in
a bigger person.
Sex :
men need more energy rich nutrients
than women (small amount of fatty tissue)
women need bigger amounts of some
minerals and vitamins.
Job/occupation
a sedentary worker requires a lower
energy intake than a manual worker
like a trishaw peddler.
UNBALANCED DIET
People can suffer from malnutrition and deficiency disease when do not
eat a balanced diet.
may have sufficient energy but deficient in certain classes of food.
millions of people in the world suffer from:
- high blood pressure, heart disease (a diet which contains too much
salt)
- osteoporosis ( lack of Calcium)
-diabetes mellitus, obesity (a diet which contains too much
sugar, carbohydrates and fats)
ENERGY VALUE OF FOOD
Water
Vitamins Minerals
Carbohydrates are important because they maintain our bodys energy
stores.
1. Sugars
2. Starch
1. Saturated fats
2. Polyunsaturated fats
3. Monounsaturated fats
Protein also provides Energy but its main function is as a body builder
and repairer when recovering from injury.
1. Animal protein as found in meat, poultry and fish and dairy products
2. Plant or vegetable protein as found in beans, nuts, bread, potatoes,
cereals, pasta and rice which are also a source of carbohydrate.
VITAMINS
Vitamins are only required in small quantities and are needed for:
1. Good vision
2. Good skin
3. Red blood cell formation
4. Healing
5. Healthy bones and teeth
6. Blood clotting
Minerals are inorganic substances that our bodies need for a variety of
functions.
Examples are:
Water
Vitamins Minerals
PLANNING A BALANCED DIET