What Is A Balanced Diet

What Is A Balanced Diet

Our diet must contain adequate amount of different nutrients for our body to function properly.
A diet that contains adequate amount of different nutrients required for the healthy functioning of our body is called a balanced diet.

balance-diets

A balanced diet must include food items from the following four food groups.

  • Milk group: includes milk and milk products
  • Meat group: includes meat (chicken, fish, lamb, etc.) and meat substitutes (beans, peas, nuts, and seeds)
  • Fruit and vegetable group: includes fruits and vegetables
  • Grain group: includes breads and cereals

Water
Almost 70% of our body weight is water. Water is needed by our body for good health.

  • It helps to transport substances inside our body.
  • It helps our body to absorb nutrients from food.
  • It helps to regulate our body temperature.
  • It is needed for various chemical reactions that take place inside our body during digestion, excretion, etc.

We get water not only from the liquids we drink but also from the food we eat. Milk, fruits, vegetables, and juices are good sources of water.

What Are Some Foods From Animals

Food From Animals

Animal products like meat, egg, honey, milk, cheese, butter, and curd are eaten by human beings.

Meat: Meat of animals like goat, chicken, fish, and prawns is commonly eaten.

What Are Some Foods From Animals 1
Fig. Meat of animals

Egg: Hen’s egg is the most common bird egg eaten in the world. It is a rich source of proteins and vitamins. Some people also eat eggs of goose and duck.

Honey: Honey is a sweet liquid made by bees from the nectar of flowers. Honey is collected from beehives. It is used in cooking and also has medicinal value.

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Fig. Honey

Milk: Milk is obtained from animals like cow, buffalo, and goat. It is a very nutritious food item and is a rich source of proteins. Milk also contains calcium, which is required for proper bone growth and nerve function.

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Milk and milk products

Products made from milk are known as dairy products. Some common dairy products are discussed below.

  • Paneer (cottage cheese): Common methods of making paneer include adding lemon juice or vinegar to milk. Then, the liquid portion of milk is drained off and the solid part forms paneer. This process is called curdling.
  • Cheese: Cheese is made from curdled milk of cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Cream Cream is made by collecting the top fatty layer of the milk.
  • Butter: Butter is made by churning fresh cream.
  • Ghee: Ghee is made by gently heating butter and removing the solid matter.
  • Curd: Common methods of making curd include adding a small sample of curd in warm milk. The microorganisms (bacteria) present in the curd sample turn the milk into curd.

Unlike green plants, animals cannot make their own food. They depend on plants and other animals for food.

How Many Types Of Minerals Are There

Different Types of Minerals

Just like vitamins, minerals also help our body to stay healthy. Minerals perform important functions like formation of bones, teeth, and blood cells and helps in maintaining a normal heartbeat.
Minerals are of two types: macrominerals and trace minerals.

Macrominerals (macro: large) are needed by the body in larger amounts as compared to trace minerals. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium are examples of macrominerals.
Trace minerals are needed by the body in very small amounts. Iron, zinc, copper, and iodine are examples of trace minerals.

How Many Types Of Minerals Are There 2

How Many Types Of Minerals Are There 1
Sources of Minerals

How Many Different Types Of Vitamins Are There

Different Types Of Vitamins

Vitamins are needed for the proper functioning of our body. They help in keeping our eyes, bones, teeth, and gums healthy. There are 13 vitamins, each of which has a specific function.
Vitamins are of two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Different Types Of Vitamins 1Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. These are stored in the fat tissues of our body and are used only when the body needs them. Our body prepares vitamin D in the presence of sunlight.

Water-soluble vitamins: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and folic acid (together known as vitamin B complex) and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins. Since water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, these need to be regularly supplied through food items like citrus fruits, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables, etc. Lack of vitamins in the body can cause deficiency diseases.

How Many Different Types Of Proteins Are There

Different Types Of Proteins

Proteins are needed by our body for muscle building and repairing worn-out tissues. Our muscles, organs, and even blood are made up of mostly proteins. If we do not eat proteins, our body will not be able to repair damaged cells, or build new ones. Proteins in our diet come from both animal and plant sources. Meat, fish, egg, and milk are some animal sources of proteins. Pulses, soyabeans, grams, and nuts are some plant sources of proteins.

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Sources of Proteins

Activity

Aim: To test the presence of proteins in a food item.
Materials needed: Food sample, copper sulphate solution, sodium hydroxide, test tube, and Bunsen burner.
Method:

    1. Crush a small amount of the food sample (if solid) and put in the test tube.
    2. Add some water to the test tube and shake it.
    3. Next, heat the test tube for about 1 minute.
    4. After the test tube has cooled down, add two drops each of copper sulphate solution and sodium hydroxide to it.

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Observation: The food sample turns purple or violet.
Conclusion: Change in colour of the food sample to purple or violet confirms the presence of starch.