Eating a balanced, healthy diet seems like a straightforward concept. However, the Harvard School of Public Health reports that government, scientific and popular food plans and diet publications often reflect private business interests or represent skewed or outdated science. Fortunately, some established, nonpartisan sources agree on the basics of consuming a balanced, nutritious diet.
Features
The Harvard School of Public Health's Healthy Eating Pyramid contains basic recommendations for eating a balanced diet. In general, people should focus on the base level of the pyramid, dedicated to vegetables and whole grains. The top levels of the pyramid represent foods less necessary in a healthful diet, including red meat, sugary beverages, salt and refined starches.
Expert Insight
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers specific recommendations for people who want to consume a balanced diet. Key factors for healthful diets include at least half of grains being whole grain, a diverse array of vegetables, plenty of fruit, calcium-rich foods, lean proteins, eating clean and safe foods, and striking a balance between calories consumed and calories burned.
Benefits
England's National Health Service outlines the benefits of eating a healthy, balanced diet, including cardiac wellness, increasing life expectancy, overall health, preventing long-term illness and maintaining a healthy weight.
Considerations
No single diet serves as a balanced diet for every person. People with medical conditions, under long-term treatment or on certain prescription medications may have special dietary needs. Pregnant women need to avoid certain foods and add other foods to their diets. Toddlers, children, teenagers and people over the age of 60 have diverse caloric and nutritional requirements. Consult with a health care provider for specific recommendations regarding a healthy diet.
Challenges
Eating out, traveling, holidays and special events can make eating a healthful diet challenging. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends focusing on ordering or consuming unsweetened, low-fat beverages, having whole wheat bread for sandwiches, beginning meals with a vegetable-packed salad, asking for dressings and sauces on the side, and ordering steamed, broiled or grilled dishes rather than breaded or fried dishes.
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