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Balanced Diets

To remain healthy, humans must eat a balanced diet. This will help you feel the best you can be. A balanced diet consists of a variety of components.

Water

Water

  • About 60% of the human body is water.
  • Body cells need water.
  • You should try and drink 3 litres of water every day.
  • Water is also found in foods.
Fats / Lipids

Fats / Lipids

  • We need small amounts of fats to provide us with energy.
  • Fats help us absorb vitamins.
  • Fats are good for insulation and for energy storage.
  • They are found in butter, olives, nuts and seeds.
Fibre

Fibre

  • Fibre aids digestion.
  • It is found in fruit and vegetables.
Proteins

Proteins

  • Proteins are used for the growth and repair of cells.
  • They are found in dairy products such as eggs and milk as well as fish and meat.
Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates

  • Provide a quick release of energy.
  • Found in cereals, breads, pasta, potatoes.
Minerals

Minerals

  • An example of a mineral is iron.
    • Iron makes haemoglobin in the blood that carries oxygen.
    • Nuts and beans are rich in iron.
  • Calcium is another example of a mineral.
    • Calcium is needed for healthy bones and teeth.
    • Milk and cheese are rich in calcium.
Vitamin A and vitamin D

Vitamin A and vitamin D

  • Vitamin A
    • Supports the immune system in fighting infection, aids good vision and helps keep organs healthy.
    • Vegetables, cheese, milk and eggs are rich in vitamin A.
  • Vitamin D
    • Regulates the calcium in the body to keep bones and teeth healthy.
    • Lack of vitamin D can cause rickets.
    • Fish and Eggs are a good source of vitamin D however you can also get in naturally from sunlight.
Vitamin C

Vitamin C

  • Vitamin C
    • Maintains the skin and bones.
    • A lack of vitamin C may lead to scurvy which was common among pirates.
    • Fruit is a good source of vitamin C.
Jump to other topics
1

Biology

1.1

Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2

Reproduction & Variation

1.3

Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4

Digestion & Nutrition

1.5

Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6

Biological Systems & Processes

2

Chemistry

2.1

Particles

2.2

Chemical Reactions

2.3

Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4

The Periodic Table

2.5

Materials & the Earth

2.6

Reactivity

2.7

Energetics

2.8

Properties of Materials

3

Physics

3.1

Energy

3.2

Forces & Motion

3.3

Waves

3.4

Electricity & Magnetism

3.5

Matter

3.6

Space Physics

4

Disciplinary Knowledge

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