Balanced Diet

Abstract

This research paper focuses on the balanced diet, the changes in dietary pattern with age and disease condition, and diabetes mellitus.

4.1 Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is the one that supplies the human body with proper nourishment by the supplementation with essential elements necessary for growth and development with proper functioning of the energy supplied through this diet is used in maintenance of the cellular and organ function of the body. The essential elements incorporate certain nutrients, classified under a category called components of a balanced diet.

Components of A Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is the one that provides the body with the basic building blocks that are essential for growth, repair and the provision of energy for performing the functions. There are seven elements of the balanced diet. These include:

Carbohydrates

Proteins

Fats

Fibers

Water

Vitamins

Minerals

Changing the Dietary Intake during Life

There are several guidelines that help individuals to take the balanced direct in order to stay healthy in accordance with their age, sex and disease conditions. One of the examples in this regard is of USDA food guide (USDA, 1996). The balanced diet does not refer to the intake of proper food in proper proportion only, but it is also affected by certain factors. These factors include the age and the underlying diseases in an individual. In younger children, the balanced diet incorporates the essential components in different amounts as compared to the elderly. Therefore, the dietary intake must change with age and the current state of the body.

Dietary plan for a five year old

Pediatric diet is a blend of all the essential nutrients that are pivotal for growth. The children in this age should eat a variety of food with proper intake of milk, grain, vegetables and fruits (Lawson, 2010). Physical activity should also be maintained to ensure physical stability and to avoid obesity in the child. Calcium is essential for bone growth and iron is necessary for the blood. The child's diet should contain calcium, phosphorous, iron in sufficient quantity to ensure growth (Alberta Health, 2012). Artificial supplements, fats, cholesterol and saturated fats should be avoided. The guidance can be taken from the Food Guide Pyramid for young children. This is designed by the US department of Agriculture for children over two years of age.

Dietary plan for an elderly person

With the increase in the age, there are some principal changes that occur in the human body. These include the weakening of the body muscles and a decreased activity of certain body organs. The lesser activity might result in more fat deposition and, therefore, decreased fat intake is critical. The balanced diet for elderly is different as compared to that of younger individuals. This diet contains products with lesser calories, fewer fats and lower level of many other essential elements including iron, zinc, and calcium and vice versa (Anderson, Prior, 2013). With the age, many physicians and nutritionists recommends the intake of dietary supplements and a proper dietary plan is made. Low cholesterol intake is also essential in old adults and ...