Balanced Food Diet

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------------------------------------------------- Balanced Diet Food Aug 2, 2010 | By Andy Yurechko Andy Yurechko has been writing professionally since 2006. He is a registered dietitian and his expertise includes nutrition and fitness. He completed an Olympic distance triathlon for charity in 2006. His work appears on LIVESTRONG.COM. Yurechko holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in nutrition from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Photo Credit tangerine pyramid image by Jar slaw Grudzinski from Fotolia.com Low-calorie diets severely restrict food intake. You may not receive all essential vitamins and minerals. Poor diet raises risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and certain cancers, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Consume a balance of food from the grain, dairy, vegetable, fruit and meat groups. Pennsylvania State University recommends consuming at least three meals a day with foods from each group. Carbohydrates This food group provides energy that fuels daily activities. Consume a variety of foods from this group. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low fat milk. Consume four servings of fruit, five servings of vegetables, three cups of milk and 7 oz. of grains on a 2,000 calorie diet. Vegetables like sweet potatoes, squash, carrots and pumpkin provide vitamins without many calories. Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit and lemons provide vitamin C. Choose low-fat or skim milk to receive calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D without many calories. Whole grains provide fiber, which helps prolong hunger. Look for grain products that include whole wheat flour as the first ingredient. Choose whole-wheat bread, pasta and cereals. Protein This food group promotes growth, maintenance and repair of

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