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Food and Health - Components of Food (Nutrients)

Grade 4ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Nutrients are the essential chemical substances present in food that provide energy, aid growth, and protect the body from diseases.

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Carbohydrates are 'Energy-giving foods' that provide immediate energy. They include sugars (simple carbohydrates) and starch (complex carbohydrates).

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Fats provide more energy than carbohydrates and act as the body's energy bank. Energy density: 1 gram of Fat≈9 kcal1\text{ gram of Fat} \approx 9\text{ kcal} while 1 gram of Carbohydrate≈4 kcal1\text{ gram of Carbohydrate} \approx 4\text{ kcal}.

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Proteins are 'Body-building foods' required for the growth of the body and the repair of worn-out tissues and cells.

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Vitamins and Minerals are 'Protective foods' needed in small quantities to keep the body healthy and build immunity. Important minerals include Calcium (CaCa) for strong bones and Iron (FeFe) for healthy blood (haemoglobin).

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Roughage (Dietary Fibre) is the undigestible part of plant food that helps in the removal of waste from the body and prevents constipation.

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Water is essential for life processes; it helps in digestion, transports nutrients in the blood, and helps maintain body temperature through sweat.

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A Balanced Diet is a diet that contains all the nutrients (Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, Vitamins, and Minerals) along with roughage and water in the correct proportions.

📐Formulae

Total Energy≈EnergyCarbohydrates+EnergyFatsTotal\ Energy \approx Energy_{Carbohydrates} + Energy_{Fats}

Balanced Diet=(Carbs+Fats+Proteins+Vitamins+Minerals)+Roughage+WaterBalanced\ Diet = (Carbs + Fats + Proteins + Vitamins + Minerals) + Roughage + Water

Haemoglobin∝Iron (Fe) IntakeHaemoglobin \propto Iron\ (Fe)\ Intake

Bone Strength∝Calcium (Ca) IntakeBone\ Strength \propto Calcium\ (Ca)\ Intake

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A sports person needs a lot of energy for a race. Should they eat a meal rich in Proteins or Carbohydrates before the event?

Solution:

Carbohydrates.

Explanation:

Carbohydrates are the primary source of 'Energy-giving food' that the body can break down quickly to produce ATPATP (energy) required for physical activities like running.

Problem 2:

Why is it important to include CaCa (Calcium) in a Grade 4 student's diet?

Solution:

To ensure healthy bone and teeth development.

Explanation:

Calcium (CaCa) is a mineral essential for the growth and strengthening of bones and teeth, which is critical during the growing years of a child.

Problem 3:

Which nutrient is responsible for repairing a wound on the skin?

Solution:

Proteins.

Explanation:

Proteins are body-building nutrients. They are responsible for the repair of damaged tissues and the formation of new cells, which helps in healing wounds.