What Is A Balanced Diet?

Food is any material consumed in order to provide nutrition to an organisms. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungus origin, and consists of necessary nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or other nutrients required by the organism in order to grow, develop and function normally. The food we eat is the fuel that allows our bodies to function properly and to grow. It comprises almost one third of the human mass.

Plants produce food via photosynthesis, the process of converting sunlight into food using the food available on their leaves and branches, for example leafy green vegetables and fruits. Animal food also consists of raw materials used to make meat, milk and eggs. Fungi living in soil are the only organisms that consume plant material in order to survive. They secrete a variety of foods from a complex network of roots, which is in short, the vegetable or fungus world. Animal cells secrete hormones that stimulate growth, development and food storage. The complete proteins needed to grow and develop fully are made by the body’s cells.

To achieve a balanced diet, you need a wide range of food that can be obtained in many different proportions. The foods you should include in your diet include: whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and poultry, dairy products, meat, nuts, seeds, and legumes (such as lentils and beans). Some people also include yogurt in their diet, since yogurt contains good bacteria that help balance the acidity levels in the stomach. By following a well balanced diet and including some of these foods in it, you will soon find yourself with a healthy body that is capable of losing weight and enjoying a varied, yet nutritious diet that meets your individual needs.