What does a balanced diet look like?

Cooking & baking made easy

Whether you're cooking a particularly elaborate dish or baking a delicious cake, using the correct quantity of ingredients is vital. So kitchen scales are ideal as a practical helper in the kitchen – and not only for weighing a specific quantity, but also for working out different nutritional values.

Kilocalories/kilojoules

The energy content of food that can be used by the body may be indicated in kilocalories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ). To cover the daily amount of energy we need, every day we should take in around 55% of our energy supply through carbohydrates and around 10-15% through protein. The proportion of fat in food should not exceed 30%.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the most effective energy source for the body. They provide energy for muscle contractions and for all other bodily functions. There are two types of carbohydrate: simple – e.g. glucose in confectionery or fructose in fruit; and complex – starch in potatoes, pasta and rice.

Protein

Protein is one of the most important basic nutrients. It has extensive functions; amongst other things, protein is essential for growth and the development of all body tissue.

Fat

Fat is an important energy source for humans, and carries flavour and aromas. The body can only absorb the liposoluble vitamins A, D, E and K with the help of fat. The human body cannot make polyunsaturated fatty acids. If consumed in moderation, fat is therefore not unhealthy in any way; it is absolutely essential.

A balanced diet is the key to health and well-being and this starts with a good awareness of foods. The DS 61 kitchen scale features stored nutritional and energy values for 950 different foodstuffs. So when weighing, kcal, kJ, fat content, bread units, protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol values are calculated directly. Entire mealtimes can be analysed by totalling up and saving the calculated nutritional values. In addition, you have the option of storing values for your own foodstuffs with a further 50 memory spaces.