balanced diet

What “mix”?

What “balance”? And what is an “unbalanced” diet?

MIX 1 The variety of foods, daily diversity

MIX 2 The mix of ALL food groups

BALANCE 1 All food groups in the right proportion

BALANCE 2 Every day and through the whole year

A STARCHY STAPLE e.g. rice, maize, potatoes, 2 or 3 times a day

A LITTLE PROTEIN every day, e.g. from fish, meat, egg, milk, beans, groundnuts

A LOT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES every day (at least 4 or 5)

A LITTLE OIL OR FAT FLAVOURINGS for appetite and interest

EVERY DAY More than one kind of staple food Different kinds of protein A variety of fruits and vegetables Different dishes Different flavours

So what are unbalanced diets? E.g. The Snack Food Diet – large amounts of

fatty foods, carbohydrates and sugar The Poor Man’s Diet – the same staple

food every day, with occasional extras The Urban Worker’s Diet – take-aways

(meat and potatoes, chicken and chips, pizza, noodles) – too much fat, no fruit and veg.

NECESSITY?BAD HABITS?IGNORANCE?

ALL THREE?

Ill health, low resistance to disease Obesity Fatigue Poor concentration and schoolwork Bad teeth Poor mental and physical development Heart disease Poor eyesight