Balanced diet : Healthy diet

Balanced diet:-

Balanced diet is the diet which consists of carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and fibers in equal proportion.

The diet consists of all essential nutrients required to body such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins minerals, and fibers in equal proportion are termed as balanced diet.

* Carbohydrates:  This provides energy to the body.

* Proteins –helps in body building i.e. growth and development.

* Fats – are the stored form of energy and play a vital role.

* Vitamins – are required in minute quantity and have a number of biochemical functions.

* Minerals – are required for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles.

Carbohydrates:-

Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen elements. It is the main source of energy to the body. The hydrogen and oxygen ratio in the carbohydrates is 2:1.

Rice and other cereals are the best source of carbohydrate. Carbohydrate is available in the form of starch. Potato, yams, bread are also rich in carbohydrate. Starch is converted into glucose by the digestive system. In the dissolved form glucose is transferred to different parts of body through blood, and is used as energy by the tissues. Sucrose and glucose are other forms of carbohydrate, which are present in fruits and sugars. It is important component of balanced diet.

Proteins:-

Proteins are the biochemical molecules, helps in growth and repair of tissues. The protein consists of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and some proteins contain sulphur also. Proteins are converted into amino acids in body and are carried to different parts, and used by tissues. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, have different functions in body. Proteins are also used as the source of energy. The end products of protein metabolism are urea and nitrogen.

Milk, milk products such as butter, ghee, cheese, pannier, and meat including fish and egg are rich sources of protein. Pulses are rich vegetative sources.

Fats:-

Fats also consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen like carbohydrate. Fats are source of energy and stored under the skin. Fats acts as insulators by preventing heat loss from body. Fat consist of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D E, K. the carbohydrate and protein are converted into fats and stored in the body. Excess of fat leads to obesity.