We eat food every day, but do we eat the RIGHT food? Food is not just about filling our stomach — it gives us energy, helps our body grow, and keeps us healthy. In this chapter we learn about different kinds of food, what they do for our body, and how to eat well.
- 1.Why Do We Need Food?
- 2.Food gives our body:
- 3.Energy — to work, play, and think.
- 4.Materials to grow — bones, muscles, and other body parts need building material.
- 5.Protection — to fight diseases and stay well.
- Types of Food and Their Role
- Carbohydrates (Energy foods) — rice, wheat (bread, chapati), maize, potatoes. These give us energy to run and play.
- Proteins (Body-building foods) — pulses (dal), eggs, milk, fish, meat, soybean. These help our muscles and body grow and repair.
- Fats — butter, ghee, oil, nuts. These give long-lasting energy and help keep us warm.
- Vitamins and Minerals — fruits (oranges, bananas, guava), vegetables (spinach, carrot, tomato). These protect us from diseases.
- Water — essential for all body functions. We should drink 6-8 glasses a day.
- Roughage (Fibre) — vegetables, whole grains. Helps in digestion and keeps our stomach healthy.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet includes the right amounts of all types of food: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and fibre. Eating a balanced diet every day keeps us healthy and strong.
Aman's meal was rice (carbohydrate), dal (protein), spinach curry (vitamins and minerals), a glass of milk (protein and calcium), and a banana (vitamins). This is close to a balanced meal because it includes different food types.
Priya ate only biscuits and chips every day and felt tired and fell sick often. She was missing proteins, vitamins, and minerals in her diet. This shows that eating too much of one type of food (junk food) is unhealthy.
Farmer Gopal eats ragi (finger millet) rotis with a vegetable curry and buttermilk. Even simple rural food can be nutritious if it contains a variety of food types.
Mohan drinks at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water carries nutrients in the blood, removes waste from the body, and prevents dehydration. Drinking enough water is a healthy habit.
Children who eat fruits like oranges (rich in Vitamin C) get sick less often. Vitamin C strengthens the body's ability to fight germs, which is why fruits are important in our diet.
- Healthy Habits
- Eat at regular times.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Avoid too much oily, sugary, or junk food.
- Drink clean water.
Common mistakes
Students often think that eating a lot of food means eating well. But eating a lot of only one type of food (like only rice, or only sweets) is not healthy. A "balanced" diet is about variety, not just quantity. Also, water is a nutrient — not drinking enough water affects health.
Summary
Food gives us energy, helps us grow, and protects us from disease. A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water. Healthy eating habits — including washing hands and eating fresh, varied food — keep us strong and well.