Difference Between Balanced Diet and Malnutrition

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BALANCED DIET AND MALNUTRITION

Balanced Diet

The term “Balanced Diet” refers to a diet that provides all of the nutrients body needs, without too much of any one component. A Balanced diet contains all types of food in a right proportion. It means a balanced diet contains the right amount of carbohydrate, protein, fat or oil, vitamins, mineral salts and water depending on the desired needs of the body.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is the eventual result of an imbalanced diet. Consuming too much or too little of any one nutrient, can cause malnutrition. Malnutrition can be so mild that a person suffers no ill effects. It can also be so severe that it causes serious illness or death. Malnutrition symptoms vary depending on the specific nutrient imbalance. Some possible symptoms include edema, chronic diarrhoea, anemia, goiter, weight loss and decreased muscle mass.