What does a balanced diet consist of? Not a single variety of foods Maintaining the right weight Moderate amounts of fat and cholesterol Moderate amounts of fat, sugar Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables Moderate amounts of salt Moderate amounts of alcohol Why is it important to consume calcium? A chronic lack of calcium and vitamin D in your diet can lead to osteoporosis, and with osteoporosis your bones become thin and brittle. Calcium is an important factor in maintaining strong bones, so if calcium intake is insufficient it can affect bone development. It is also important to get enough vitamin D every day because the function of vitamin D is to promote the body’s intake of calcium from food. Does weight control work for arthritis? The load on joints is also high when you are overweight, especially those that carry weight, such as the knee and hip joints. This makes it easier for arthritis to develop. Weight control can be achieved through physical exercise or changes in diet. If weight is well controlled, the chances of developing arthritis are going to be greatly reduced. Is it good for arthritis to eat less salt? Fast food generally contains more salt, and more salt can lead to water retention in the body, which can lead to swelling of the joints and even affect movement. Therefore, for arthritis patients, it is recommended to eat less salt.