Everyone wants to eat a well balanced and nutritionally satisfying diet; however, not too many people actually know what a healthy diet should consist of.  For instance, what percentage of our daily diet should carbohydrates make up? Do we need to consume any fats? What exactly does the food pyramid represent? These are just some of the questions that many people have prior to starting a nutritionally healthy diet.

When quick weight loss or healthy nutrition is concerned, there are many rules and regulations. There are numerous foods that we should consume and certain food that we should stay clear of, that is why it is sometimes difficult for the average person to come up with the most nutritionally satisfying diet. A healthy diet should consist of 45-65% carbohydrates, 10-35% protein, and 20-35% fat (with no more than 10% saturated fat and 0% trans fat). The best way to figure out how to obtain these food groups is by taking a closer look at the food pyramid. Each section of the pyramid represents a specific food group. The base of the pyramid represents the grain group. These are better known as carbohydrate rich foods, such as bread, cereal, rice and pasta. On average, an adult should consume 6-11 servings from the grain group every day.

The next part of the food pyramid represents fruit and vegetables. Our daily intake should consist of 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruit. This particular section of the pyramid is especially important for those of us who are trying to lose weight and increase our intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber. The third tier represents protein, such as dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. 2-3 servings should come from the milk group and 2-3 servings from meat, eggs, or beans. And last but certainly not least is the top level of the pyramid which is comprised of fats, oils, and sweets. This particular food group should be consumed sparingly. These are just a few basic components of a healthy diet.