What is a balanced diet?

Nutrition

One that has the nutrients needed to sustain your body. and reflects our individual needs and responses to some food.

Fuel

The right balance of energy to meet your energy requirements.

Variety

A balanced diet includes a large variety of foods from the 5 food groups to meet our nutritional needs.

A balanced diet is person specific

biochemical individuality means that we all respond differently to nutrients depending on our genetics, lifestyle and environmental stressors. A balanced diet takes this into account.

Unhealthy food choices

Some foods are a detriment to our health. Food. Alcohol, highly processed foods, and added sugar are examples of foods that should be avoided in a balanced diet.

Benefits of a balanced diet

prevents infections & disease

A balanced diet provides nutrients that support the immune system to do its job. With a well-functioning immune system the risk of cancers, chronic disease, and infections are reduced. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and allergies are also examples of diet-related illnesses that are supported and prevented with good nutrition.

Weight management

A balanced diet is fundamental to managing weight. It provides nutrition critical to properly functioning systems including our hormonal and digestive systems, which in turn helps us to manage our energy requirements better. In getting the correct amount of nutrients in our bodies, the types of foods associated with this are generally more filling which also supports being a healthy weight and avoids malnutrition.

A healthy growing body

Children and adolescents especially benefit from good nutrition to support growth. For all people, cell development and repair are at play constantly and these processes on a balanced diet work better.

Mental Wellbeing

Good nutrition supports our brain and wellbeing in a few ways. When our body is supported and well, likelihood of depression is reduced.¹ Brain function, energy, and memory, are impacted greatly by good nutrition.

how we look

When we are healthier through good nutrition, we also look healthier. Good hair, glowing skin, strong nails, and healthy teeth are noticeable examples of external signs of health.

Consequences of an unbalanced diet

Malnutrition

The results of malnutrition are extensive. When we don’t get the nutrients we need, systems in our body do not function as they need to. Poor nutrition can result malabsorption of nutrients.

Weight management issues

On an energy basis, too many or too few calories over a long period of time can result in being underweight or overweight. Both states have a detrimental effect on our body systems. Poor nutrition can also inhibit systems that support weight, making it harder for those who are overweight to lose weight.

Disease, illness and death

There are many diseases that are linked to diet. These diseases include diabetes type II, heart disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, some forms of cancer, osteoporosis, dental caries, gall bladder disease, dementia and nutritional anaemia.

While this may sound dire, some of these lifestyle diseases can lead to death.

Weight Management Nutrition Information Pack