Page 15 - Viva ICSE Science 4 : E-book

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The Food We Eat

All living beings need food to survive and
KEY CONCEPTS
grow. Our body gets energy for various bodily
activities from the food we eat. Food provides us • Components of food
• Balanced diet
the strength to work and play. It protects us from
• Ways to avoid wastage of food
diseases and infections, and keeps us healthy. It
• Ways to preserve food
also helps in the growth and repair of our body.

Therefore, food is one of the basic needs for the
survival of all living beings.

We already know that plants and animals are the two main sources of food for us. The

components in food that help our body to survive, grow and become strong are called
nutrients.

Let’s learn more about the components of food.

Components of Food

Nutrients can be obtained from diff erent food items. The major nutrients found in our
food are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Besides these, food also

contains roughage and water.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the main sources of energy

for us. They give us energy to do work. Food
rich in carbohydrates

is called energy giving Did You Know!
food. Sugar and starch The carbohydrates in
our food are mainly
are two major forms of
obtained from the
carbohydrates present plant sources.
in food. Some energy rich food items

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