BALANCED DIET

Introduction

  Nutrition is the process of taking in food and using it for growth, metabolism and repair of body cells.

   Balanced diet is the meal that contains all food values in their right proportions. 

    There are several nutrients that make up a balanced diet.

 1. Proteins.

        These are large complex molecules that play numerous roles in the body. They are also called body building foods/grow foods.

 Proteins repair worns body cells and aslo aids building of new body cells.

Sources of Proteins

Beans, fish, peas, soyabeans, milk etc .

 2. Carbohydrates

   

These are also called energy giving foods/go- foods. They aid provision of energy to the body, also help in reproduction of energy from a stored form of glucose called glycogen.

Sources of carbohydrates.

Maize, millet, sorghum, rice, potatoes etc.

   3.Fats/Lipids.

There are large organic molecules which are used for energy storage and make up the lipid bi-layer of the plasma membrane of the body cells. They also help to store extra warmth for the body. 

  Sources of fats/lipids

These are some of the sources of healthy fats;

                    Fatty meat,

                    Fish,

                    Cheese,

                    Olive oil,

                     Butter etc.

4.Vitamins

These r micronutrients which the body needs in small quantities for proper functioning of it's metabolism. They are also called glow-foods

  Vitamins help the body to resist infections and keep nerves healthy. 

  Sources of vitamins

These are found in fruits and vegetables.

 5. Minerals

 These are inorganic substances that must be ingested and absorbed in adquate amounts to satisfy a wide range of essential metabolic and structural functions in the body.

Minerals help the body to build strong bones, transmit nerves impulses and maintenance of a normal heart beat. 

Sources of Minerals

Spinach, cocoa, sea vegetables, fruits, cereals etc. 

   6. Roughage/fibre

This refers to the carbs in the plants that can not be digested by the body. These help the gut to expell undigested food from the body.

Sources of roughage

 spinach, carbbage, barley, broccoli, bananas etc.

   7. Water

      Experts prove that water is a very important nutrient.

   Water makes up 50-75% of the human body weight. It's the major components of blood, saliva, digestive juices, cells and tissues. Water lubricates joints, carries oxygen to the body cells. Water flushes out waste from body. It moisturises the skin, amount other functions, water dissolves water soluble vitamins and other nutrients. 

     Further more, water, regulates body temperature. It aids proper digestion. It helps to maintain a healthy body weight and keeps the body hydrated. Water quenches thirst.

Conclusion

 In a nutshell,  a balanced diet is the key to good health.