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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 7 (October 2, 1939)

Balanced Diet

Balanced Diet.

As the body needs six simple kinds of material, great care should be taken to ensure that meals are properly balanced with proteins, carbohydrates, fats, mineral salts, vitamins and roughage.

Proteins supply the body with nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus which, with hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, form the chief elements which comprise the vital structures of the body. Carbohydrates provide the energy for daily action and a deficiency of carbohydrates will soon produce acidosis. Fats are a wholesome and useful constituent of the diet.

Mineral salts are included in the material required—obtainable from milk, whole cereals, vegetables and fruits.

Vitamins.—We have heard in recent times much about vitamins—A, B, C, etc., and are aware of the part they play in the drama of life.

Roughage.—This is also an important constituent. It gives bulk to what might otherwise be an over-refined diet.

Unless the body has a sufficient supply of the above foods, we are undermining our health.

The maintenance of health is vitally important alike to the nation and to the individual.