Food and Health
1. Why Do We Need Food?
We need food for THREE main reasons:
| Reason | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Energy | Helps us RUN, PLAY, and STUDY |
| Growth | Helps us GROW TALLER and STRONGER |
| Health | Keeps us FREE from DISEASES |
'Think of food as FUEL for your body. Without food, you would have NO ENERGY to do anything!'
2. Sources of Food
Food comes from TWO main sources — PLANTS and ANIMALS.
Food from Plants:
| Plant Part | Food |
|---|---|
| Roots | Carrot, radish, beetroot, turnip |
| Stems | Potato, ginger, sugarcane |
| Leaves | Spinach, cabbage, lettuce, mint |
| Flowers | Cauliflower, broccoli, banana flower |
| Fruits | Apple, mango, banana, orange, grapes |
| Seeds | Rice, wheat, dal, peas, nuts |
'Potato is a STEM, not a root! It grows underground but has buds (eyes) that can grow into new plants.'
Food from Animals:
| Animal Product | Examples |
|---|---|
| Milk | Cow, buffalo, goat milk — used to make curd, cheese, butter, ghee, paneer |
| Eggs | Hen's eggs — rich in PROTEIN |
| Meat | Chicken, fish, goat, mutton |
| Honey | Made by BEES from flower nectar |
3. Healthy Food vs Junk Food
Healthy Food:
Gives us NUTRIENTS that help us grow and stay healthy.
'Healthy food includes ROTI, RICE, DAL, VEGETABLES, FRUITS, MILK, EGGS, and NUTS.'
Junk Food:
Tastes GOOD but provides VERY LITTLE nutrition.
'Junk food includes CHIPS, BURGERS, PIZZA, CANDY, SOFT DRINKS, and FRIED SNACKS.'
| Healthy Food | Junk Food |
|---|---|
| Apple, banana | Chips, candy |
| Milk, curd | Soft drinks, milkshakes with sugar |
| Roti, rice, dal | Pizza, burger |
| Nuts, fruits | Fried snacks, cookies |
| Gives ENERGY and NUTRIENTS | Only EMPTY calories (fat + sugar) |
'It is OK to eat junk food SOMETIMES — but most of what you eat should be HEALTHY FOOD.'
4. The Importance of Water
Water is ESSENTIAL for life. About 70% of our body is WATER.
| Use of Water in Our Body | Why It Is Important |
|---|---|
| Drinking | Keeps us HYDRATED |
| Digestion | Helps break down food |
| Blood | Carries nutrients |
| Temperature control | Sweating keeps us cool |
| Waste removal | Urine removes body waste |
| Joints | CUSHIONS and lubricates joints |
How Much Water to Drink:
'Drink 6-8 GLASSES of water every day. Drink MORE when you play or exercise.'
Signs of Not Drinking Enough Water:
- Dry mouth and lips
- Feeling TIRED
- HEADACHE
- Dark yellow urine
5. Cleanliness and Health
Personal Hygiene:
| Habit | Why |
|---|---|
| Wash hands before eating | Removes GERMS from hands |
| Wash hands after using the toilet | Prevents spread of DISEASES |
| Take a bath daily | Keeps SKIN clean and fresh |
| Brush teeth twice daily | Prevents CAVITIES |
| Wear clean clothes | Prevents INFECTIONS |
| Keep nails short | Prevents dirt from collecting |
| Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing | Prevents spread of GERMS |
Food Hygiene:
- Eat FRESH food — not stale or spoiled.
- Wash FRUITS and VEGETABLES before eating.
- Drink CLEAN (boiled or filtered) water.
- Store food in COVERED containers.
- Check EXPIRY dates on packed food.
6. Common Mistakes
- Skipping breakfast: 'Breakfast is the MOST important meal. After a whole night without food, your body needs ENERGY to start the day!'
- Eating too much junk food: 'Junk food fills your stomach but DOES NOT give your body what it NEEDS. It has EMPTY calories.'
- Not drinking enough water: 'By the time you FEEL thirsty, your body is already a bit dehydrated. Drink water at REGULAR intervals.'
- Not washing fruits before eating: 'Fruits can have DIRT, GERMS, or PESTICIDES on their skin. Always wash them before eating!'
7. Key Facts to Remember
- 'Food gives us ENERGY, helps us GROW, and keeps us HEALTHY.'
- 'Food comes from PLANTS (roots, stems, leaves, fruits, seeds) and ANIMALS (milk, eggs, meat, honey).'
- 'Healthy food nourishes the body. Junk food has empty calories.'
- 'Water makes up about 70% of our body — drink 6-8 glasses daily.'
- 'CLEANLINESS prevents DISEASES — wash hands, bathe daily, eat fresh food.'
8. Self-Test
Q1: Why do we need food? Give three reasons.
Q2: Name two foods that come from plants and two that come from animals.
Q3: What is the difference between healthy food and junk food?
Q4: How much water should you drink every day?
Q5: Why should you wash your hands before eating?
Q6: Is a potato a root or a stem?
Q7: Name two foods that are good for your teeth.
Q8: Why should you cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze?
Answers:
A1: For energy (to play/study), for growth (to grow taller/stronger), and for health (to fight diseases). A2: Plants: Rice (seed), Apple (fruit). Animals: Milk, Eggs. A3: Healthy food gives nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins). Junk food has empty calories (fat and sugar) with little nutrition. A4: 6-8 glasses of water. More if playing or exercising. A5: To remove GERMS from your hands so they don't enter your body through food. A6: A potato is a STEM (it grows underground but has buds/eyes). A7: Milk (calcium for strong teeth), Apple (fiber cleans teeth). Also carrots, cheese. A8: To prevent spreading GERMS to others. Coughs and sneezes release tiny droplets that can carry diseases.
