Food and Nutrition
Science Four
Needs and sources of food
All living being needs food. Food gives us energy. Food gives strength to do different work. Food helps us to grow. Food protects us from diseases. Without food no living being can survive.
Sources of food
We get food from plants. As we know, all living things need food and all animals are living. Therefore, all animals and humans depend on plants for food either directly or indirectly.
Example
Foods we take are prepared from either plants or animals. Rice, bread, vegetables, fruits, etc. are come from plants. Milk, eggs, fish, mutton, etc. come from animals. Animals get their food either from plants of animals. Grass eating animals, such as cow, buffaloes, etc. get food from plants. There are many animals which dependents upon flesh of other animals, such as tiger, lion, etc.
We can see that all of the animals get food either from plants or plant eating animals. Thus, it is clear that we get food from plants directly or indirectly.
Nutrients
There are many substances found in food which we need to live. These substances are carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, minerals and fats.
These, carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, minerals and fats are called nutrients.
Nutrients found in our food perform different function for our body. For example – some nutrients give us energy, some protect us from diseases, some help our body to grow, etc.
Thus on the basis of functions nutrients can be divided into three types.
- Energy giving nutrients.
- Body building nutrients and
- Protective nutrients.
Energy giving nutrients
Carbohydrates and fats give us energy. Thus, carbohydrates and fats are called energy giving nutrients.
Body building nutrients
Nutrients that help us in body building are called body building nutrients. Proteins help us to grow. Proteins help us in repairing of wounds and tissues. Thus, proteins can be called body building nutrients.
Protective nutrients
Vitamins and minerals are called protective nutrients. They protect us from diseases and keep us healthy. We get vitamins and minerals from green vegetables, fruits, sprouted grains.
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