What is a balanced diet?

A balanced diet is eating the right amount of foods from all the food groups. There should be no shortage or excess of the amount of intake. A balanced diet consists of the five main food groups which are:

1. Carbohydrates (make energy)

2. Protein (helps in growth and repair)

3. Fats (for energy and warmth)

4. Fruits and Vegetables (Vitamins, Minerals and Fibre)

5. Milk and Dairy ( Protein, Minerals and Fats)

The carbohydrates in your diet are the most essential for energy and you get them from potatoes, rice, pasta and they should be 45-50% of your daily food intake. Proteins are needed for repairing the cells plus growing new ones and you can find proteins in dairy products, meat, fish and they should be 20-25%. The rest of the 30% are made up of fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre; you can get fats from dairy products, nuts and meat. The best sources for vitamins, minerals and fibre are from vegetables and fruits.
When balanced diet comes to sport then it is more crucial because the demands of sport on an individual's body is a lot as he/she needs all the nutrients in his/her diet. The best way to get the nutrients are from food but if this isn't possible then other supplements are also beneficial.