We all need food in order to live and grow. Food is a basic need. We need food to stay alive. The food we eat gives us the energy to work and play. Food also keeps us healthy and protects our bodies from diseases. A balanced diet is necessary for a healthy body. This balanced diet involves different types of food with different sources. A balanced diet must have carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, fats and oils, and minerals. For one to ensure that he/she maintains a balanced diet, the first step is to know the source of the food then understand the different nutrients that it provides. Let's have a look at food sources, animal and plant products that we consume.
SOURCES OF FOOD
The sources of food are broadly classified into; plants, animals and their related products.
Food from plants
Plants are a source of many different nutrients that are required to keep the body in perfect working condition. Humans eat every part from fruits like oranges, stems of some plants like sugarcane, flowers like cauliflower, roots of some plants like carrots, seeds like rice and wheat, and leaves and stem-like celery or lettuce.
All food comes from plants. Even animals depend on plants. We, therefore, obtain all food from plants directly or indirectly.
carrot
Vegetables, fruits, cereals and pulses are examples of food we get from plants.
Food from animals
chicken
Animal products are also used as food directly or indirectly. Meat, milk and eggs are important examples of food from animals. Animal products are also rich in some nutrients. Food items that are made with milk are called milk products. They include curd, ghee, and butter.
HEALTHY FOOD
Foods that keep our bodies healthy and strong are called healthy foods. Foods such as bread, rice and potatoes give our bodies energy to do work. These foods are rich in carbohydrates.
Foods such as fish, eggs, meat, milk and pulses help our bodies to become strong. These foods are rich in proteins.
Fruits and vegetables such as pineapples, oranges, bananas and spinach protect our bodies from diseases. These foods are rich in vitamins.
MEALS IN A DAY
We take meals at fixed time intervals. We have breakfast in the morning. It is the first meal of the day. We have lunch in the afternoon and we have dinner at night. Dinner is the last meal of the day. Sometimes in between these meals, we may take small meals like tea with snacks.
We have learned that;
