Planning Balanced Diets

In the previous units  you have been introduced to a number of nutrients-an amazing array of elements and compounds all with  vital functions in our bodies.Each one of us needs these nutrients in  specific amounts. How do we ensure that we meet our nutrient needs? Is there any easy way  by which we can plan diets that supply adequate amounts of all the  nutrients? 

This  unit will answer these questions. You will  find that the key to planning nutritionally adequate or in other words balanced  diets lies  in selecting the right foods in the right amounts for each  individual. 

How do we know which foods to select? The best  way of selecting the right kinds of foods for each meal is by using food groups. Each  food group includes  a specific list of food items  which share the same function and  contribute similar nutrients. As you know, the functions of the  foods are dependent  on  the  major nutrients  they  supply. Once the  food groups have been identified,  items can be selected from each food group for individual  meals. If each meal is  planned along these lines,  one can be reasonably sure that all  nutrients will be provided by the 'day's  diet.

After deciding on the foodstuffs to be included, we  need to decide on  the amount to be consumed. This would, of course, depend  on how much of each nutrient is required.  Recommendations  for daily nutrient  intakes have  been  laid down in  our country by the  Indian  Council of Medical  Research (ICMR). These  recommended dietary intakes (RDls) are the basis for  planning balanced  diets. 

This  unit will introduce you to various ways of classifying food into groups as well as the use  of food groups in planning balanced diets. It will also discuss in brief the use of RDls for deciding on the amounts to be consumed. 

Objectives 

After studying this unit,  you will  be able to:

• describe the  concept of a  balanced diet 
• discuss the classification of food 
• distinguish between requirements and recommended dietary intakes 
• discuss the use of food groups and  recommended  dietary intakes in  planning balanced  diets 
• identify the major factors  influencing  planning of balanced  diets and 
• list the steps involved in planning balanced diets