According to the New Oxford American English Dictionary, balance is defined as…”a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.” So, what does this mean for nutrition? It means you need to take a step back and view your overall diet as a whole…all foods can fit into a healthy, balance eating pattern if consumed in moderation.

Ok, back to the New Oxford American Dictionary…moderation…”the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behavior…”. Is all of this clear as mud yet?

To maintain optimum nutrition you need a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, along with plenty of water and the right mix of micronutrients ( vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals…). So, if you are avoiding excess or extremes you probably don’t want to eliminate one of these main groups…you need them all. You also want to take care with processed foods. If you get something low fat, the fat is generally replaced with carbs…the reverse is true of low carb items. If you don’t take care you may find you are taking in more carbs or more fat than you thought. You want to focus on eating whole foods, the less processed, the better!

You probably also want to avoid anything like the all green diet or the all cabbage diet…all or nothing is an extreme too!

I want to stress that dietary restrictions based on culture, religious preferences or moral preferences can be perfectly balanced. For example, vegetarian and vegan diets, if well planned, can be a balanced and healthy option. Someone that follows a vegan diet simply chooses to use non animal sources of protein and fat.

You can find great resources at mypyramid.gov and the American Heart Association. Some basic recommendations are to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. According to mypyramid.gov, someone following a 2000 calorie diet should try to eat 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups fruit a day. Try to eat whole grains…whole grains have more of their original nutrients and fiber. Also, limit your sodium! Sodium is ubiquitous in American cuisine! According to the American Heart Association, we should try to limit our sodium to 1500 mg a day.

The main thing is don’t take your diet to extremes! Just try for balance.