9781422269909

Explore the risks and long term health effects of the standard American diet.

What Is a Balanced Diet? A balanced diet contains a variety of foods that supply enough calories, vitamins and minerals, proteins, and other nutrients for optimal health. A balanced diet should also provide bioactive phytochemicals such as antioxidants, as well as dietary fiber. The USDA’s MyPlate versus Harvard’s Healthy Eating Plate? The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests that people follow a diet based on portions of the food groups in its MyPlate. In contrast, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health created the Healthy Eating Plate to correct the limitations of MyPlate’s nutrition advice. Harvard bases its

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How to Eat a Balanced Diet