What it means is a diet that includes a combination of different food types, grains, pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy products and oil.You are what you eat and what you do not eat. Good nutrition is the foundation of good health. Balanced diet is an oft quoted but rarely explained term. What it means is a diet that include a combination of several different food types, including grains and pulses, fresh fruit and vegetable, meat dairy products, fats and oils.

Goal of a diet plan

Eat a variety of foods, keep plenty of grains, vegetable and fruits, keep your fat intake level low, take sugar and salt in moderate sugar intake, moderation and drink lick of alcohol.

Food pyramid guides us towards balanced nutrition. The bottom of the pyramid includes carbohydrates. It supply the body with energy. It is the main source of blood glucose, which is a major fuel for the body and only source of energy for the brain and red blood cells. They are found almost exclusively on plant, fruit, vegetables, peas, beans.

Eating at least three servings of whole grain foods each day could reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers by 30%.

Fruit and vegetables compose the second rung of pyramid. They are low in fat, calories and salt, an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most of us do not eat enough to meet the current recommendation of three to five servings of vegetables.

The higher you go on the pyramid, less amounts of food, you consume. Protein rich foods, dairy foods are needed in more moderate amounts, that is two-three servings in a day. While eating meat, chicken, trim the fat off meat and take off chicken. Yogurt is good source of protein, contains vitamin A, D and many of B-complex vitamins. All soyabean products are complete proteins. The apex of pyramid constitutes of fats, oils and sweets. Calorie requirements decide the number of servings. 1600 calories are right for children 2 to 6, sedentary women and older adults.

2200 calories are about right for children over age 6, teen girls, women and most men. 2800 calories are about right for teen boys, active men.