HEALTH CARE

FOOD AND DIGESTION

A living thing needs food. We eat food everyday. The food keeps our body strong and healthy. It gives us energy to do work. It helps us to grow. The food habits of people are different in different places. The kind of food depends on the climate of the place. It depends on the work the people do and the food that is available in the place. About half of the people of the world are ill-fed. Only a few enjoy the right kind of food. The right kind of food is known as nutritious food or balanced diet.

1. Carbohydrates:- Sugar and starch are rich in carbohydrates. They are called fuel foods. They give us heat and energy. Sugar is present in fruits and sugarcane juice. Starch is present in almost every food we eat. Wheat, rice, potatoes, bread-all these contain starch.

2. Fats:- Fats also give energy and heat. It is also a fuel food. Fats of animals, butter, ghee and oils are all fats.

3. Proteins:- Protein is an important part of the foodstuff. All the cells of the body contain protein. We need proteins for building up. They are called tissue foods. They help us to grow.

 Meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, peas, milk and cheese are rich in proteins.

Food containing proteins should be included in the daily diet because the body cannot store proteins for latter use.

4. Minerals and Vitamins:- Meat, mild, fresh vegetables, cereals, eggs and fruits contain mineral salts in small quantities. They build strong bones and strong teeth. They keep our blood pure. They are necessary for healthy skin and for all chemical reactions in the body.

 Vitamins are needed in small amounts. They keep our body healthy. They protect our body against infection. We have vitamins A,B,C,D,E etc. Vitamins B and C dissolve in water but A,B,E dissolve only in fats.

Vitamins and minerals are called the protective foods.

5. Water:- All living things need water. We must drink plenty of water. Water is necessary for many fluids found in our body. It helps to keep our blood flowing. A part of the water comes out as urine removing many wastes like urea.

SMALL CHILDREN AND THEIR FOOD:-

Children continue to grow up to the age of 18.Growth in the younger stage is very rapid. So they must be given enough of growth-giving food. They should also be given food containing vitamins. The vitamins are health-giving food. So children should be given good food to enable them grow well and preserve their health.

The lack of vitamins in our daily leads to many health problems. We get skin infections, bone diseases and gum bleeding if our food does not contain different kinds of vitamins.

Children in many countries suffer a condition called malnutrition. Most of these children in our country come from poor families and are under-nourished. They do not even have three full meals. They do not know the value of a balanced diet. Our Government is spending crores of rupees to provide ‘balanced diet’ for poor children, in the ‘Midday Meal Scheme’.

SOME SIMPLE RULES TO GROW WELL:-

1. Drink milk daily

2. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits. Seasonal vegetables like carrot, turnip, beet, pumkin and greens are rich in vitamins. Seasonal fruits like guava, papaya, orange, lemon, banana, mango and tomato are rich in vitamins and minerals.

3. Drink plenty of water.4-6 glasses between meals is ideal.
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4. Germinating seeds must be added as part of your food.

5. Avoid sweets. it is bad for teeth.

6. Avoid fried food. It will increase weight.
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