A BALANCED DIET

A Balanced Diet



A Balanced Diet

Introduction

A concept of a balanced diet is not new. In fact, it can date back to 400 B.C when Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” Even today, consuming a balanced diet is important than ever. Various researches demonstrate that at least 40% leading causes of deaths, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, or diabetes, can be associated to the way we eat. Eating wrongful diet can be harmful; while, a key to healthy living is to take good balanced diet (InteliHealth, 2009).

Discussion

Nutrients are the basic building blocks that are essential for survival. They facilitate the body in performing the daily functions, and serve as a fuel to, build tissues and grow. The nutrients are categorized into macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are so named because they are required, in larger quantities, to provide major energy to the body. On the contrary, micronutrients are needed only in smaller quantities; however, they are necessary for the normal metabolism, growth, and physical well-being (Richardson, 2011).

Macronutrients

Macronutrients comprises of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, making up the larger portion of the daily diet. They provide energy, required for the body, to grow, develop new tissues, repair damages, conduction of nerve impulses, and to regulate life processes (BBC, 2012).

Carbohydrate provides the quick energy to the body; hence, 50-60% of the diet should comprise of carbohydrates. They are available in various food items, in the form of starch, fibers, and various sugars. The good sources of carbohydrates consist of whole grain bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, fruits and vegetables. Fats are slower to metabolize but provide double the energy than carbohydrates. While it provides the energy for the body; it also facilitates the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. It is composed of unsaturated, saturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fats are healthier. Furthermore, taking a lot of saturated fats can lead to atherosclerosis. Good sources of fats include oils, dairy products, fish, and nuts. Fats should comprise of 30% of the daily diet (BBC, 2012).

Proteins are the building block of the body, essential for all cells and tissues, as well as, production of hormones and repair. Good sources of protein include meat, pulses, fish and eggs. Proteins should comprise of 10-20% of the daily diet.

Difference between Starch and Glucose

Glucose is a carbohydrate. To be more specific, glucose is a monosaccharide and hence, also refers to simple sugar. This is the only form of glucose that can be absorbed by the cells of the body. On the contrary, starch is a polysaccharide. Thus, starch is a complex sugar. Most importantly, the starch should break down to glucose before it can be absorbed and utilized in the body.

Difference between Essential and Non-essential Proteins

Amino acids refer to the building blocks of proteins. Overall in nature, there are more than 100 types of amino acids that are found. However, within a human body, there are only 20 amino acids. Furthermore, the amino acids are further characterized into essential and ...