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Balanced diet - Overview

Alternative Names

Well-balanced diet

Definition of Balanced diet:

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development.

Function:

A well-balanced diet provides enough energy and nutrition for optimal growth and development.

Food guide pyramid

Healthy diet

Fish in diet

Reviewed last on: 2/27/2008
Patrika Tsai, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric GI, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Rockville, MD: US Dept of Health and Human Services and US Dept of Agriculture; 2005.

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