Question

What factors can be considered for making balanced diet?

Answer 1

Sometimes we eat because we enjoy the taste and experience of different foods. Sharing food and meals are important social events.

But other than for pleasure, we need food to get nutrients, vitamins, minerals and energy.

Very few foods are either all good or all bad. By having an idea of the balance in your diet, it should be easier to enjoy food and be healthy.

There are seven essential factors for a balanced diet: carbs, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins, minerals and water.

The rough percentage of daily calories that should come from each factor is shown in Table 10.
Nutrient% of daily caloriesFunctionSourceCarbs45–55%EnergyGrains (refined & unrefined): wheat, maize, corn, millet, oats, rice, flour, pasta, noodles; potatoes; sweet potatoes, yam. Fruit (sugar).Protein10–35%Tissue growth and maintenanceMeat, fish, nuts, eggs, soya, beans and pulses.