Explain what is needed for a balanced diet, including vitamins and minerals.

... Explain what is needed for a balanced diet, including vitamins and minerals. A BALANCED DIET is a diet that contains adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients - carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals - required for healthy growth and activity. A diet is balanced when food intake is equal to the body's needs. These needs vary according to age, gender, level of activity, pregnancy and size - the average adult male requires 11000 KJ of energy per day while the average adult female requires 9000 KJ per day. Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy, and are a large part of most people's diets. They are also building blocks for larger molecules. Carbohydrates can be obtained by eating cereals, wheat, bread, pasta and potatoes. Proteins are used in growth and repair, and in rare cases as energy. The main sources of proteins are meats, eggs, lentils and beans.

want to read more? →