Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats - Essay Example

A Balanced diet is a diet that contains all the elements that the body requires to function properly. A balanced diet helps to maintain the body in good health. A balanced diet also helps the body to prevent and fight disease. According to American Heart Association (2017), a balanced diet can help to reduce chances of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, a balanced diet is essential to all human beings regardless of age, gender or nationality. The body needs three main classes of food in large amounts. They include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are grouped in the same food class known as macronutrients.

Carbohydrates are part of a class of foods that is essential for the body. Carbohydrates provide nutrients that are required by the body to function properly. Carbohydrates are compounds that are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are classified according to their structure and digestibility. They are energy giving foods. They are broken down by the body to produce the energy required by different body parts. Energy produced by carbohydrates facilitates muscles to function properly enabling a person to engage in different physical activities. According to (Felman, 2017), carbohydrates can be obtained from cereals, bread, grains, pasta, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and sugars. Fibers can also be classified as carbohydrates.

Fats are essential food compounds that are very useful in the body. Fats are found in a group of compounds referred as lipids. Just like carbohydrates, fats are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Fats form an insulating layer in the body that is helpful in maintaining constant body temperatures. Fats help the body in the production of hormones. Fats are useful in the absorption of vitamins, and the body uses them as a source of energy. Sometimes, fats are broken down by the body to provide energy. Fats are useful for brain development. There are two types of fats; Saturated and unsaturated fats. According to (Harvard Medical School 2017), all fats are made up of a chain of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. Saturated fats are solid at cool temperatures while unsaturated fats are liquid at cool room temperature. High consumption of saturated fats raises cholesterol levels hence causing heart and blood vessels problems. Sources of unsaturated fats include fats oilseeds, maize oil, groundnuts and breast milk while saturated fats are found in fatty meat.

Proteins are complex food compounds that are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Unlike carbohydrates and fats, proteins have an additional compound of nitrogen. Nitrogen forms part of the main composition of proteins hence making the protein compound to be complex. Proteins are bodybuilding foods. They give structure to the cells and facilitate growth, repair, and maintenance of body cells. Sources of protein include animal products like meat and milk, portray, eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds and soy products. Proteins are broken down by the body to amino acids.

A balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy body. A healthy body provides the energy required to perform daily activities. Carbohydrates provide energy for the brain to function properly. Proteins help in the development of body cells hence promoting body growth. Fats help in absorption of essential vitamins. Fats are also broken down by the body to provide energy. According to the (Australian Dietary Guidelines 2013), eating a balanced diet is vital for achieving optimal health.

Works Cited

American Heart Association. (2017). Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations.Australian Government. (2013). Australian Dietary Guidelines. National Health and Medical Research Council

Felman, Adam. (9th May. 2017). A Healthy Diet: How can I make the Change? Medical News Today.

Harvard Medical School. (2017). The Truth about Fats: The Good, the Bad, and the in-between. Harvard Health Publishing.

Khosroshahi, H. (2009). The Six Classes of Nutrients and their Functions.