Ideally, a balanced meal is achieved at every mealtime or eating
occasion. Balance and variety can also be achieved in combination (meals and
snacks combined) and over time (different meals in the course of the day or week).
For example, a food or nutrient that may be lacking or in excess in one meal can
be made up for or balanced in the next meal or snack. Eating more food (calories)
than we need one day, or less than we need, can be balanced by how much or how
little we eat the following day. In order to maintain balance and variety, we must
understand our nutrient needs and which foods provide them and we should keep
this in mind when making our food choices.