What is a balanced diet?

A balanced diet is about:

1. eating the right food.

2. eating the correct nutrients, in the right quantities.

3. eating at regular times.

It is made up of the five main food groups:

1. bread, cereals (including breakfast cereals) and potatoes

2. fruit and vegetables

3. meat and fish

4. milk and dairy foods

5. fat and sugar

A healthy diet also includes:

• eating three main meals per day breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• eating at regular times.

• eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and starchy foods.

• limiting foods that are high in fat and sugar.

QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED ON THIS

Explain one benefit of eating a balanced diet (2mark)

Eating a balanced diet helps strengthen the immune system, which means the body can fight off infections and recover from illness more quickly.

Describe one effect of excessive dieting for a young person (2marks)

One effect of excessive dieting for a young person is that they may lose a lot of weight, which can lead to low self-esteem or poor body image if they feel pressure to look a certain way.

Describe one positive effect of dieting (2marks)

One positive effect of dieting is that it can help a young person lose weight to improve their health if they have been advised to do so by a doctor, which can lower health risks and help them feel fitter and more confident.

Evaluate the impact of diet on a person’s health and well-being (10 marks)

Diet plays a key role in shaping a person’s physical, emotional, and social health. A balanced diet can have several positive effects on health and well-being.

Firstly, eating a balanced diet strengthens the immune system, which helps a person fight off infections and recover from illness more quickly. This contributes to better physical health. Secondly, a good diet provides energy, which enables individuals to stay active, exercise regularly, and carry out daily tasks without becoming tired. This can lead to improved mood and emotional well-being. Thirdly, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients for growth and development. It helps to maintain strong bones, muscles, and tissues, boosting self-confidence and encouraging a more positive body image.

However, an unbalanced or poor diet can have serious negative effects. Firstly, eating too much fast food or sugary snacks can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of long-term health conditions like heart disease. Secondly, a poor diet high in fat and sugar can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Gaining excess weight is one of the biggest risk factors for developing this disease. Thirdly, diets high in salt and saturated fats can lead to high blood pressure and strokes. Many fast foods contain harmful levels of sodium which can damage the heart and arteries over time.

In conclusion, diet has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being. A balanced diet can improve physical strength, emotional stability, and confidence, while a poor diet can increase the risk of life-threatening diseases and reduce quality of life. It is important that individuals make informed, healthy choices about their diet to support both their short-term and long-term health.