A Balanced Diet :

Carbohydrates are our largest and fastest source of energy. The body transforms them into glucose, the body's basic fuel, and glycogen, which stored in the liver and muscle and can be converted to glucose when necessary. There are two main types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple Carbohydrates are basic sugar. They are rapidly absorbed to provide instant energy and have no nutritional value in themselves. Sources include cane or beet sugar as well as sugar found in fruit, honey, vegetables and milk.Complex Carbohydrates are broken down more slowly than simple sugars.They are compounds of several sugars and tend to be stored as glycogen. Found in starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, pulses and cereals, and in root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, complex carbohydrates tend to have a nutritional bonus of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Protein every cell and organ of the body needs protein, in the form of amino acids, for growth, maintenance and repair. Protein is also used to make enzymes that help digestion and produce antibodies and hormones. It is no stored directly in the body (any excess is burnt as energy or converted to fat), so a fresh supply is needed every day, although most Westerners, especially meat-eaters, get more than they need. Protein-rich foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soya beans, cheese, cereals, pulses and nuts.

Fats which are composed of fatty acids, are the most concentrated source of food energy, providing twice as many calories as carbohydrates or protein. A certain amount of fat is neccessary for healthy functioning, but to much can cause serious health problems. There are types of fat: saturated and monounsaturated fat can be made by the body, so are not strictly needed in the diet. Too much saturated fat (found in fatty meat, hard cheese and butter) can raise blood-cholestrol levels and lead to obesity and heart disease. Monounsaturated fat, found in olives, avacados, nuts and seeds, is healthier than saturated fat. Polyunsaturated fat contains essential fatty acids, which are vital for health and can only be supplied by food. Sources include most vegetables oils and oily fish. Trans fats, which are associated with hearts disease, are manufactured by converting unsaturated vegetable oils into saturated fats.