What is a balanced diet?
A balanced diet is one that caters to all nutritional needs of our body that are required for optimal functionality of our organs and systems. It is termed as ‘balanced’ because it comprises of all nutrients and minerals that are essential for ideal health and well being. There are a number of nutrients that are required by the body in specific quantities on daily bases to carry out normal activities. The imbalance of any one of these nutrients can lead to various deficiency disorders or the inability to carry our daily activities due to weakness and low immunity.
A balanced diet essentially comprises of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, vitamins and water. The concept of a balanced diet suggests the intake of meals that comprise of all of the above mentioned groups in specific quantities only to meet the daily requirements of the body. It is important to consult nutritionists and health experts to find out the calorie requirements of your body for each day based on your age and weight. It must be stressed that the constant over or under consumption of any of the above may have disadvantages.
What is the importance of a balanced diet for our health and well being?
It is important to understand that our physical and mental health and well being depend entirely upon our dietary intake. What we eat and drink on daily basis enables our body to carry out important processes that are vital for our survival. There are different dietary requirements of individuals in different age groups. In growing ages for both males and females, a balanced diet ensures proper growth and development of all systems of the body, and contributes to a stronger, healthier immune system for fighting numerous diseases and infections. In older age groups on the other hand, it ensures optimal functioning of the organs and systems for to meet daily dietary requirements.
Not only does natural, balanced diet fulfill the food intake requirements of the body, it also helps the body combat countless medical conditions which are directly associated with the excess of or deficiency of nutrients. Some of the most common medical conditions that are related to diet around the world include obesity, diabetes, joint disorders, anemia and disorders of the immune system.
It is for this reason that all nutrients and health experts stress on the importance of the consumption of a balanced diet on daily basis. A balanced diet contains elements from all six major food groups that are critical for the ideal health and well being of humans.
Natural health care through proper diet
Is it possible to achieve ideal health care only through proper diet? It most definitely is. As long as a meal comprises of all nutrients that the body requires on daily basis, there is no reason why an individual cannot remain perfectly healthy for years and years. To summarize the process, a balanced diet boosts the immune system of the body thus making it stronger and more efficient to combat most major and minor medical conditions that are associated with dietary intake. For instance, it is possible to prevent conditions including obesity and all diseases that are related to it simply by modifying daily eating habits and combining them with a regular fitness routine. Not only can harmful medical conditions be prevented through healthy diet, they can also be managed with dietary modifications. By excluding certain elements such as saturated fats, Trans fats and oils from the diet, and focus on the consumption of natural proteins and mineral, it is entirely possible to regain health. It must be noted however, that in case of weight management, balanced diet and modification of eating habits must always be practiced in conjunction with exercises and daily fitness routines for ideal results.
Because a balanced diet contains all vital nutrients, minerals and vitamins, there may also be no need for supplements unless otherwise prescribed by physicians in specific cases.
What are some of the common disadvantages of an unhealthy diet?
Consumption of an unhealthy diet that does not include vital nutrients, minerals or water, or the excess consumption of harmful food groups such as fats and oils can lead to a number of medical conditions that gradually present a number of manifestations in the body. For instance calcium deficiency can cause a number of conditions related to bones and joints, as well as the deterioration of hair and nails. Inadequate consumption of water directly affects the renal system and blood production of the body.
It is therefore important to follow a balanced diet on daily basis to avoid harmful diseases deficiency disorders that can affect growth and proper functioning of the organ systems at any age.
