Nutrition is a basic food substance needed for growth and health of the body. Balanced nutrition is a daily food composition that contains nutrients in types and amounts that are in accordance with the body's needs, namely gender, age and health status, physical activity. A diet that is not in accordance with balanced nutrition is at risk of experiencing malnutrition such as underweight, excess nutrition (obesity) can also occur which can be at risk of causing degenerative diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus.
In nutrition science, there are five types of nutrients, namely carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. In general, the functions of nutrients are:
- Energy or power source
- Maintaining body tissues
- Regulates metabolism and various balances in body fluids
- Plays a role in the body's defense mechanisms against various diseases.
If the body does not get enough nutrients, there will be disruption of body function.
The principle of balanced nutrition consists of 4 (four) pillars which are basically an effort to balance the nutrients that enter and the nutrients that leave.
The 4 (four) pillars of balanced nutrition consist of:
- Consume a variety of foods with balanced food proportions (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins).
- Get used to clean living behavior.
- Do regular physical activity.
- Monitor body weight (BB) regularly to maintain normal body weight.
Therefore, education and counseling are needed for the community so that they can choose the food they consume according to their needs in order to obtain balanced nutrition from a clinical nutrition specialist.
Article written by dr. Noviyanti, Sp.GK (Clinical Nutrition Specialist Doctor, EMC Cikarang Hospital).