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What is a Recommended Diet to Meet Protein, Fat & Carb Requirements?

It is important to distinguish between dieting and eating a balanced diet that includes exercise. Medical experts do not recommend fad dieting, but rather a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle should include the appropriate sources of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, as well. Fats should be a limited part of the diet. Try planning meals in advance with predetermined serving sizes. The amount of food consumed depends on factors like age and weight. Consult with a physician if other dietary conditions are involved, such as obesity or diabetes.

  1. Balanced Diet

    • Eating a balanced diet includes eating protein, fat and carbohydrate requirements, as well as other food sources. Eating only the right amounts of fat, starch and protein still leaves out important foods like fruits and vegetables and is unbalanced. Consuming an unbalanced diet contributes to developmental problems and other diseases, according to MedlinePlus (see Reference 1).

    Food Groups

    • The food groups are fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and beans, oils and fatty or sugary foods, which make up a very small portion of overall caloric intake (see Reference 2). According to MedlinePlus, basic guidelines for a balanced diet include eating parts of each food group at every meal, eating three meals a day and not skipping breakfast (see Reference 1). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the food pyramid, which includes the amounts of each type of food that should be consumed daily (see Reference 1).

    Considerations

    • The USDA recommends eating whole grains. At least half of all grains consumed should be whole. A healthy, balanced diet should include low-fat dairy products and lean meats, as well. The USDA also recommends consuming appropriate amounts of calories and including exercise as a part of a healthy lifestyle. At least 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended by the USDA. This includes activities like walking at a quick pace, dancing, sports, bicycling, hiking, lawn work, gardening, lifting weights and cleaning (see Reference 2). Healthy protein sources also include nuts, legumes and beans (see Reference 1).

    Portions

    • No food group should be eliminated unless it is recommended by a physician. It is more important to make sure that portion sizes are controlled. Portions are recommended serving sizes, not just the amount put on the plate in a given meal. Try using visual equivalents, like one small apple, as a serving. If that does not help, measure the food onto the serving plate (see Reference 3).

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