Balanced Diets
Science: KS3, topic 1.4.1
Balanced Diets
To lead a healthy life, animals must make sure that they consume a balanced diet. Their diet must contain all the right food types, as well as vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet prevents some diseases.
Parts of a healthy balanced diet
- There are seven key components of a varied and healthy diet.
- Carbohydrates - an energy source.
- Lipids (fats) - an energy source.
- Proteins - for growth and repair of tissues.
- Vitamins - help prevent deficiency diseases.
- Minerals - are needed for key chemicals in your body.
- Fibre - helps keep you regular and avoid constipation.
- Water - so that you can stay hydrated.
Deficiency diseases
- If you lack a significant amount of particular nutrients you may develop a particular deficiency disease. Examples of deficiency diseases include:
- Scurvy.
- This comes from not eating enough vitamin C. It causes issues in your connective tissues.
- Rickets.
- This comes from not eating enough vitamin D. This vitamin is vital for bone development so not consuming enough will lead to a softening of your bones. Rickets gives you bowed legs.
Deficiency diseases - more examples
- Goitre.
- This comes from not eating enough iodine. The thyroid gland in your neck swells up.
- Anaemia.
- This comes from not eating enough iron. It is where you don’t have enough red blood cells. Iron is a key component of haemoglobin, the chemical that transports oxygen around your body. This is why blood has a metallic taste.
Test yourself on Balanced Diets
Which of these is NOT a deficiency disease?
Which of these is used for growth and repair of tissues?
A person's diet contains plenty of vitamins and minerals, but very little fibre. What is the most likely result?