A balanced diet is nothing superficial; it is not referred to the exact measure of each nutrient that you need to take. A balanced diet is an assortment of a variety of edibles from the food kingdom and all in moderation. And, by variety we mean in colour and nutrition levels.
The major nutrients that our body needs are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These provide the body with energy for various functions like beating of heart, activity of muscles and brain, etc. In addition, the body needs vitamins and minerals for its optimal functioning. To get a balanced diet and nutrition, it is important to choose foods from all food groups (cereals, pulses, poultry and meat, milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables).
Protein is dense in animal products, which makes it one of the most common reasons why vegetarians do not get enough protein. But, this lack of protein consumption can be avoided if one takes a look at the many vegetables and other suitable-for-vegans foods.
Its Importance
Protein helps in many vital functions inside the body. Its main function is allow hair and nail growth, muscle growth and repair, repair of nerve cells and to heal injuries. Diet that lacks protein can cause muscle deterioration, heart problems, arthritis, organ failure, etc. Symptoms of lack of protein include muscle soreness, hair loss, cramps, loss of sleep and sloe healing of wounds.
The recommended everyday intake of protein for an adult woman is about 45g and that for an adult make is about 55.5g. This number is variable by opinion because researches are still being done to find out how much protein an average person really requires. To make sure that you get enough protein, make sure that you take 2-3 portions of it in the day.