Food and health

​Food and health

Being healthy means having a strong disease-free body and an alert mind. Our body derives all the nutrients it needs from the food we eat. Nutrients are chemical substances needed by the body for healthy growth and proper functioning.

​INTRODUCTION

Components of food

There are five main components or nutrients that our body derives from food we eat. These are carbohydrates, fats , proteins , vitamins and minerals. In addition to these nutrients water and roughage are also essential components needed by the body.

​fig no 3.1 pg no 28

Importance of a balanced Diet

A diet which contains all the essential nutrients in the right amount required for the healthy functioning of body is called a balanced diet it is possible to be healthy only when we eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

​importance of a balanced diet

• It is rich in the essential nutrients needed for proper growth and development.

• It provides enough energy to keep a person active and healthy to perform daily tasks

• It protects the body against illnesses by providing adequate vitamins and minerals.

Junk food

​Elders often ask us not to eat particular food items saying they are junk food.

Foods that may be tasty but have little nutritional value are known as junk food.

Junk food affect the normal growth and development of a person if eaten regularly. They make us gain weight and become obese. An obese person is significantly overweight to other person of his/her age height and gender

​Effects of eating junk food

Ways to make our diet healthy

Eating healthy food daily keeps us strong and disease free. Eating the right food increases the body’s resistance to disease. It is important to eat not just the right quantity of different food but also food that is cooked in a healthy, clean and nourishing manner.

Sprouts is the practice of germinating seeds so that they can be eaten. Sprouted seeds are eaten raw steamed or cooked. Grains such as wheat, corn and barley; pulses such as kidney beans soybeans moong seeds pea and chickpeas can be soaked and sprouted

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Sprouts

Fermentation

Bacteria yeast and some other micro- organisms break down the complex chemical compounds of food into simpler forms. This process is called fermentation. Idli dosa jalebi yogurt dhokla are some examples of fermented foods.

Obesity

Obesity or excessive weight gain is caused due to wrong eating habits and lack of physical activity. An issues like lower stamina, breathing problems, blood pressure cardiovascular disease diabetes and anaemia.