My Healthy and Balanced Diet - Assignment Example

My body needs them because they act as energy reserves. Lipids, along with their derivatives, serve as vitamins and hormones. Lipids also protect the heart and other important organs. I need proteins because they provide structural support, bodily movement, and defense against germs (Bailey 2008). They speed up chemical reactions and also store amino acids.

They are also important for the formation of enzymes and hormones. I need vitamins because they help enzymes perform in the body. They help carbohydrates to metabolize and break down fat to release energy. I need vitamin B6 because it helps produce antibodies. I need vitamin B12 because it helps in the formation of red blood cells. I need vitamin C because it helps in the formation of protein collagen for the metabolism of amino acids. I need minerals because they act as cofactors in various enzyme-controlled energy-producing reactions in the body.

I need minerals to help my body control the actions of nerves and muscles. Minerals help my body in maintaining a balance of water in the body. Minerals also buffer the pH of cells. I need water because I do not want my body to become dehydrated. Water regulates body temperature; moistens tissues of the mouth, eyes, ears, and other important organs of the body. I also need water to lessen the burden on my kidneys by flushing out waste products. Water also carries oxygen and important nutrients to cells (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research 2012).

I found that my breakfast meal, which consisted of milk, eggs, and cheese, provided me with adequate nutrients to start my day. Milk contains calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Eggs provide minerals, proteins, and vitamins. Cheese is well known for its calcium and protein content. Hence, my breakfast was a complete meal. I found donuts detrimental to my health. Since I was so attracted to this round of delight, I consumed a lot of them. They filled my stomach with empty calories, not providing me with sufficient energy and nutrients.

I was at a chance of catching obesity and other diseases if I continued to eat donuts. All they contained was fat. Evaluation of the two meals shows that my breakfast was a healthy meal; while, donuts were an unhealthy meal. I felt fresh and active after having my breakfast, but I felt heavy in my stomach after having donuts. Hence, I decided to leave eating donuts, since they contained inadequate amounts of nutrients.