What is Considered a Balanced Meal?
In the West, in particular, a balanced meal is typically thought of as being a protein in the form of a piece of meat, surrounded by a starch and side vegetable, with a roll and glass of milk. In part, this is due to being conditioned to selecting foods from the Basic Four as outlined in the food pyramid developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, this agency has restructured its guidelines under the new “MyPyramid” to include five basic foods, with meat given much less prominence and an increased focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, other food pyramid models exist that caters to those who prefer an Asian, Mediterranean, Latin American, or vegetarian slanted diet.
