Diet and exercise

What makes a healthy diet?

It contains the correct amount of:

• carbohydrates
• proteins
• fats
• vitamins
• minerals
• fibre
• water

Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are used to release the energy you need to live and also to build new cells. You need only small amounts of vitamins and minerals for your body to work healthily, but without them you will suffer deficiency diseases. If you do not have a balanced diet, your body will become malnourished.

People think malnourishment is under eating, but obese people can be malnourished if they do not eat a balanced diet, and only eat sugars and unhealthy foods. Eating a balanced diet helps your body to be completely nourished so you do not suffer from malnourishment.

How much energy do you need?

The amount of energy you need depends on many different things. Some things you can change and some things you can't.

Males need to take in more energy than females as they tend to be taller and also use up more energy. However, if a woman is pregnant, she will need more energy than a man because she is 'eating for two'.

If you are a teenager, you will need more energy intake than a person who is in their 70s because you will do more…