What does a balanced diet even look like?

mjb1986
mjb1986 Posts: 7 Member
edited January 21 in Food and Nutrition
I'm sure that I will get a lot of mixed answers on this, but I feel like I am getting confused as to what a balanced diet should look like.

This is kind of where I am at currently:

http://www.freshandnaturalfoods.com/health-trending/fresh-natural-food-pyramid/

^^ food pyramid diagram, closest to my diet that I could find.

Bottom of pyramid: Fruits (3 servings daily) and veggies (5 servings daily)
Grains (3-5 daily) OR beans (3-5 daily) (so, a little different than diagram)
Meat: 1-2 servings daily, meatless average 2x weekly.

I don't eat fish or dairy and I don't use any oils other than a cooking oil spray.

My husband is vegan so I feel like a lot of what I eat is influenced by what we have in the house and what he is eating/family dinner's. I love eating a diet rich in fruits and plant foods but it's everything else that confuses me. This is because it seems like everyone believes something different and everyone has medical research to back up claims. I don't know if I'll get any answers in this post (since everyone seems to think their way is the best, of course) but a general consensus would be nice. :)

Replies

  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
    One that doesn't cause you to fall over that often due to deficiencies or weight issues.
  • Vicks1978
    Vicks1978 Posts: 81 Member
    Hi there
    I love this pyramid, I think I will print that out.
    I am doing everything on it at the moment, apart from the 2 glasses of red wine!!! might have to start that one!
    I just need to cut out my sugar I have in coffee which I am finding really difficult to give up.
    I am finding I am not snacking and I don't really crave anything naughty.
    Eating as this pyramid says, my skin and hair feel better and I generally have more energy.
    So I agree with this...although it has taken a bit for my tummy to get used to it! :-S
  • lisamarie1780
    lisamarie1780 Posts: 432 Member
    A balanced diet is a varied diet. You should have plenty of lean proteins, fruits and veggies and wholegrains like wholemeal breads, wholewheat pasta and rice... try to avoid white starchy stuff. Allow yourself something naughty once a week as an eating plan which allows for the odd indulgence is much easier to stick to.
    I don't agree with cutting out entire food groups so I usually have a little of all food groups on my plate but I don't overdo the carbs or fat if I can help it. Just eat sensibly and exercise regularly and you will find out what works for you... but try and think longterm rather than short term. There are a few on here who want immediate results and starve their body of vitals to get them. Losing weight slowly and healthily is the best way to go and is more likely to stay off that way :-)
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,368 Member
    The food pyramid is what a typical balanced diet should be for best nutrition.
  • bnorris2013
    bnorris2013 Posts: 256 Member
    The diabetic dinner plate my friend has shows half the plate with veggies
    quarter plate protein and quarter plate carb
  • jbruced
    jbruced Posts: 210 Member
    The diabetic dinner plate my friend has shows half the plate with veggies
    quarter plate protein and quarter plate carb
    In my mind, that would makke the plate 3/4 carbs & 1/4 protein.
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