A healthy, balanced diet can be based on local eating patterns,
using locally available foods and respecting local eating customs.
The foods in people’s diets around the world are very different from each other,
but all good diets must be composed of a variety of different foods that provide all
of the food energy and other nutrients in the amounts needed. For most people,
a good meal will be based on a starchy carbohydrate food, sometimes referred to
as “staple” foods, as they form the basis or main portion of the meal, and a variety
of other foods (side dishes) that provide the additional protein, vitamins and
minerals needed for a good, healthy diet.