balanced diet

American  

noun

1. a diet consisting of the proper quantities and proportions of foods needed to maintain health or growth.

---

balanced diet Cultural  

1. A diet that contains the proper proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water necessary to maintain good health.

---

Etymology

Origin of balanced diet

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Long-term habits matter more: eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, protecting your skin and attending routine health screenings.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

"Traditional knowledge recognized their value, and today's research continues to explore how the unique composition of wild blueberries may support health when eaten as part of an overall balanced diet."

From Science Daily • Jan. 27, 2026

The Food and Drink Federation says UPFs can form part of a balanced diet, like frozen peas and wholemeal bread.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

The Cookie Monster declared cookies a "sometimes food" and taught children about a balanced diet.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

One day he read in the encyclopedia about the advantages of a balanced diet, and so began his mania for vitamins, which was to last for the rest of his life.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende