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Diet Balance: 3 Important Things to Know

Diet Balance

I am sure you have heard before that dietary balance is important, but do you know why? You’ve been told that “we are what we eat” and so you don’t want to become a human mass of pizza, steak, or corn? Let’s hope not. A balanced diet is a combination of foods that provides a proportional amount of nutrients to allow proper bodily function. The majority of daily calories should be from fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and lean proteins. Including a diet balance is key to making the most of your foods’ nutrients.

1. What is a Diet Balance?

The average person should consume about 2,000 calories daily to maintain weight. However, this number is generalized and there are many factors that vary from person to person. This includes age, sex, genetics, and physical activity level. This caloric guideline provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), while it can be helpful, can also be misguiding. A person consumes a Starbuck’s Venti Caramel Frappuccino (510 calories) and a McDonald’s double cheeseburger (440 calories) for lunch. They will have consumed almost half the USDA recommended caloric intake of 2,000. Does that mean it’s a healthy meal? No. Unfortunately, in the typical American diet, empty calories (calories that come from sugars and solid fats) are very common. This includes cheese, sports drinks, processed meats, baked goods, and ice cream. Yes, unfortunately our favorite food probably falls into that list of dangerous and delicious ways to get diabetes or heart disease.

2. Importance of Dietary Balance

While lack of exercise also plays a large role, poor nutrition and dietary imbalance are the main factors risky diseases. These include rapidly rising levels of obesity, and other weight related health issues (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke) in the United States. According to the USDA, four of the top 10 leading causes of death in the US are largely influenced by diet.

Dietary balance is crucial for healthy bodily function. If we don’t consume a balanced diet, our body’s tissues and organs will not receive what is necessary to function properly and effectively. Common effects of poor nutrition are fatigue, weakened immune systems, and increased risks of various diseases or infections. Healthy and balanced diets are also extremely important for child growth and development. A balanced diet filled with fresh, natural foods and low-processing can prevent disease and infection. It can also aid in weight control, promote healthy bodily growth and mental health, as well as enhance beauty. Even without the use of a dozen hair and skin beauty products!

3. How to Achieve a Balanced Diet

When one thinks of the word diet it’s easy to think of some sort of strict dietary regimen. However, this is rarely successful or healthy. In order to get all the important vitamins and nutrients for effective bodily function, it is easy to consume more food. Not less. If we don’t fill our diet with empty and yes, often delicious/easy calories, we can actually eat more without gaining weight! While it can be overwhelming to think about changing one’s diet the changes will be worth it! There are many examples of simple and effective tips to begin changing one’s diet. These include meal prep, variety of color and not counting every calorie. It is also helpful to read labels, and understand about how you feels after eating healthier foods.These can help you take the necessary steps to change your diet and lead a healthier, happier life!

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