Maintaining a healthy body is like cooking a perfect meal, we need the right amount of ingredients to ensure that we come up with a meal that is flavourful, delicious, and nutritious.

That being said, what does a balanced diet look like for our body? Let’s go back to elementary science to take a look at the major food groups and how we can incorporate them into our food portioning: 

• Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy, this should make up the largest portion of our diet particularly whole grains as they also provide fiber. 

• Fiber plays a very important role in our digestive system as it helps speed up the removal of waste and toxins by regulating our bowel movements. Make note that fiber can become dehydrating when too much is consumed, make sure to always have water along with your fiber-rich foods.

• Water maintains the health and strength of all of our cells, How? Our body uses it to regulate our body temperature by sweating, it removes toxins and waste through urination and even acts as lubrication for our joints. The fact that our body is made up of 60% water on average, goes to show just how important this element is. 

• Proteins on the other hand control cell and tissue function. A fun fact about proteins is that they can be found not just in meat and animal products but in plant-based products as well like beans, lentils, nuts, and soy. Remember a combination of different protein sources is good to get a complete profile.

• Fats now can be a bit scary for most people but getting enough fat in your diet is important as we need it for growth and development. “Essential” fats include Omega-3 and Omega-6 which we can get from avocados, olive oils, eggs, butter, and many more.

• Vitamins are several different kinds as they play different roles in keeping our body healthy. We only need them in small quantities and if you eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, you will almost definitely have them in sufficient amounts.

• Minerals are essential and needed to help your body grow and repair itself. If you eat a varied amount of food, chances are you’re already taking in the minerals you need. However, suggested intake may vary for children, mothers, and the elderly.

The thing to remember when planning your meal is to keep it varied which ensures a complete diet and don’t forget to wash it down with plenty of water.

If you are in search of a diet plan to help you lose weight, aid in any alignments, work around dietary restrictions, or simply better understand what is best for your body, consulting a nutritionist is highly advised as they can give you a full and personal guide to better understanding your body’s needs.