Importance of Balanced Diet and Nutrition for healthy body.

 

Meaning of a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet refers to the intake of edible which can provide all the essential food constituents necessary for growth and maintenance of the body, in definite amount in which they are required by the body. A balanced diet means eating the right amount of foods  from all food group. 

"A diet which consists of all the essential food constituents, viz., protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water in correct proportion is called a balanced diet. "

In other words, "Balanced diet is that diet which consists of various consists of various constituents of food in accurate and appropriate quantity according to the requirements of an individual. "

In fact, every individual does not required same type of diet. The diet differs from India to individual. The following point sum up the balanced diet. 

1. A balanced diet must contain all the essential constituents in adequate amount. 

2. There must be definite proportion between the different constituents of food. 

3. The food should be easily digestible. 

4. Cooking of food is necessary because it sterilizes foodstuff and makes it palatable and easily digestible. 

Meaning of Nutrition  

Every Individual in this world wants to lead a healthy life. Food is the  main basis for maintaining health. So, the knowledge of 'food and nutrition' is essential for every individual. Generally, food and nutrition are considered synonymous with one another, when actually it is not so. In fact, food comprises all those substances that human beings consume for their survival. 

Food is a mixture of various substance which are essential for life; whereas nutrition is a dynamic process which comprises consumption of food to remain healthy. In fact, nutrition is essentially the process of nourishing or being nourished. The process by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and replacement of tissues is called nutrition. 

'Nutrition' is defined as the science of food and its relationship with health . In other words, it can be said that nutrition is the science of foods which comprises the dynamic process in which the consumed food is digested, nutrients are absorbed and distributed to the tissues for utilisation and wastes are disposed of the body.