Balanced Diet - The 4 Main Food Groups

For your meal to be considered a balanced and healthy one, these factors has to be present in your dish.

- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Protein
- Micronutrients and Water

The above four components make up the four main food groups.

Carbohydrates are starchy foods that give us energy. Examples are potatoes, pasta and breads.

Fats give our body energy that can be stored. A layer of fat under our skin keeps us warm.
However, there are good fats and bad fats. Bad fats increase cholesterol and your risk of certain diseases. Good fats protect your heart and support overall health. In fact, good fact - such as omega-3 fats - are essential to physical and emotional health. Examples are ice-cream and donuts, butter and French fries.

Proteins help our bodies repair themselves. Examples are steamed fish, milk, eggs and peas. 

Basically, micronutrients and water are the same as vitamins and minerals, dairy and milk. Vitamins and minerals have many jobs, such as building strong bones and teeth, making blood and keeping our brains working. Dairy and milk products improves bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and two other diabetes, and with lower blood pressure in adults. examples are butterhead lettuce, fruits, carrots, and dairy products. 

As long as you have at least 1 of these foods from each food group, rest assured, you'll be in the pink of health!