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A balanced meal, I believe, refers to eating a wide variety of foods. So to make a balanced meal you'll want some grains, you'll want a bunch of veggies and you'll want some animal products, either dairy in a sauce or salad dressing or a bit of meat or egg in your other dishes. Then some fruit in dessert (or even slipped into the other dishes, like craisins in the salad) finishes it off. They've found that you need very little protein, so the conventional food pyramid is a little off; we don't need a steak every night and you could even get a balanced meal without any animal products at all. "Using new data, the report reaffirms previously established recommended levels of protein intake, which is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults; however recommended levels for pregnancy are increased." This is from a 2002 report called "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids" found at http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3788/4576/4340.aspx
The main food groups are as follows:
Carbohydrates
Fats
Protein
Vegetable and fruit
Dairy
It's important ot include these in your meal. So a carbohydrate such as potato, pasta or rice, a protein like meat, nuts, egg, fish, vegetables or fruit and possibly something containing dairy. However every meal does not need to be balanced as long as your overall diet balances.
The meaning of a balanced meal is is to eat a good balance of nutrients; that means fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat. It is important to balance your intake of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and starches. Unsaturated fats are in natural foods, such as nuts and are good for you. Saturated fats are in processed food and unneeded for a well-balanced diet. You should drink water instead of sodas and sugary drinks.
Low fats (Olive Oil is good or Flax seed oil) Veggies (especially orange vegetables such as carrots and squash)and green, leafy vegetables for fiber (at least 5 veggies a day). Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese. Chicken, fish, lean red meat (less red meat is preferred.) Legumes (beans). Grains such as wheat, fax, and oatmeal is great too. 5 servings of fruits per day. Lots of water at least 8 glasses a day. Exercise whether it's a brisk walk or going to the gym and working out. It's important to get your heart-rate up. Hope this helps. I'm on Weight Watchers and learning to eat better and also not over-eating. Women should have 3 1/2 ounces of meat at each meal (or substitute it with cheese .. always some protein is needed) and men can have anywhere from 6 ounces to 8 ounces of meat per serving. Usually one can eat all the veggies they like and gain very little weight. Fruit is important as well.
Lots of whole grains and produce, some meat and dairy, and very little fats or sweets
Balanced food is the mix of healthy and filling function in food. If you have the balance of low fat/sugar, high protein, high fiber, and low sodium, it would make for a balanced food.