A person who is trying to eat right, might ask the question
“How does a balanced meal affect my energy?” A balanced meal should affect energy in a positive way. The key is to know the definition of a balanced meal.

A healthy meal takes advantage of all of the food groups. This means eating whole grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy and lean protein. When fats are used to prepare meals, they should be healthy fats, preferably those fats that remain liquid at room temperature rather than butter, margarine,lard, or shortening.

Eating a variety of foods should provide the right amounts of carbohydrate and protein to keep the body going. An example of a balanced meal for lunch or dinner is one-half cup of vegetables, one-half cup of fruit, one-half cup of a healthy starch, three ounces of lean meat, a whole wheat roll, and eight ounces of low-fat milk. This meal provides the carbohydrates needed for immediate energy, as well as complex carbohydrates, and protein that will be used later for energy. An example of a balance breakfast would be 3/4 cup of cereal with milk, a banana, a glass of juice, and water.

When a person is active, it may be helpful to eat nutritious snacks between meals to provide additional energy. Healthy snacks like fruit, cheese, nuts, vegetables, and whole wheat crackers are excellent choices for energy.

When planning meals and snacks that affect energy in a positive way, it is important to drink enough healthy fluids. Water is the best choice because it contains no sugar or additives that will impact health in a negative way. Water keeps the brain hydrated, removes toxins from the body, and helps cells and muscles function optimally. Drinking water also prevents dehydration which can lead to feeling sluggish and not being able to think clearly. Water or a healthy drink like low-fat milk should always be part of healthy meals that provide energy.