A balanced diet is one, which contains a variety of food in such quantities and proportions so that the need for energy, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, water and roughage is adequately met for maintaining health, vitality and general well-being. Thus, human diet includes carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the ratio of 4:1:1, vitamins, minerals, water and roughage in adequate amounts for maintaining good health.
Role of Minerals: Minerals are the elements which are required in our body in small amounts, with food. These regulate various metabolic activities in our body. Deficiency of a particular mineral causes specific diseases such as anaemia, goitre, rickets, etc.
The main minerals are calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Trace elements which are required in few mg amounts per day are iron, iodine, fluorine, zinc, copper, cobalt, chromium and manganese prominent minerals. Mineral deficiency disease: Anaemia is caused due to the deficiency of iron in the food. Deficiency of iodine causes goitre. Deficiency of calcium creates weakness in bones.
