Creating a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet helps maintain or improve overall health. It provides the body with essential nutrients that help us feel and look our best. Specifically, it’s a healthy balance of the 3 macronutrients.

The term macronutrient describes nutrients required in large quantities by the body because they provide calories, are the building blocks of cellular growth, offer immune function, and facilitate overall repair. There are 3 main types of macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each macronutrient has a different cellular makeup and utilized uniquely. Because of the different roles and micronutrients offered by each, a balanced ratio can be helpful.

Although we are talking about macronutrients, it’s actually the micronutrients contained in the macros that hold the utmost importance. There are hundreds that play a role in human health. They are all of the vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, antioxidants,  enzymes, polyphenols, carotenoids, and more. Real food doesn’t just have one isolated nutrient, it has an abundance of micronutrients that makes them work better in our bodies. Processed foods can never do what real food can. Optimize your diet by getting the right amount of quality macronutrients. This is the best way to eat less for more.

In addition to sticking to real, whole foods, a good rule of thumb is make sure each of your meals contains a serving of protein, vegetables, carbohydrates, and/or fats.

Examples of a balanced meals:

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs (protein) with veggies, with avocado toast (fat & carbohydrate)

• Lunch: Mixed greens and veggies, chopped apple (carbohydrates), black beans (protein), and nuts (fat)

• Dinner: Chicken (protein), sweet potato (carbohydrate), broccoli (veggie) cooked in olive oil (fat)