Nutrients in Food

The food we eat is the source of many of the raw materials which our body needs for metabolism. When you chew on an apple or a slice of bread, the nutrients it contains are not always in a form that your body can use. It is the job of the digestive system to chemically change the complex molecules in the apple and the bread into simple chemical substances.

The chemical substances in food that your body needs are called nutrients. For example: fats, proteins, vitamins. These nutrients are essential for normal body function and for growth. Nutrients are essential to perform all daily and metabolic activities. Below are the nutrients needed in our daily life.

Carbohydrates and Fats:

Carbohydrates mainly provide energy to our body. Fats also give us energy. In fact, fats give much more energy as compared to the same amount of carbohydrates. Foods containing fats and carbohydrates are also called ‘Energy Giving Foods’.

Rich Sources of Carbohydrates: Rice, Potato, Banana, Papaya, Melon and Maize, etc.

Rich Sources of Fat: Groundnuts, Milk, Butter, Cheese, Oils, Ghee, Egg, etc.

Proteins :-

Proteins are needed for the growth and repair of our body.

Rich Sources of Proteins: Soyabeans, Gram, Dal, Peas, Fish and Meat, etc.

Vitamins :-

Vitamins are substances that our body needs to grow and develop normally. There are 13 vitamins that our body needs. They are Vitamins A, B, vitamins(thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B - 6, vitamin B - 12 and folate).

Minerals :-

Minerals are those elements on the earth and in food that our bodies need to develop and function normally. Those essential for health include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese and selenium.

Water :-

Water is also known as the essential nutrient because it is required in amount that exceed the body's ability to produce it. All biochemical reactions occur in water.

.... (More Text Available, Login?)

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Which of the following is the rich sources of Carbohydrates ?
A. Potato	B. Rice	C. Maize	D. All of these.
Right Option : D
View Explanation

Question : 2

Read the following three statements carefully and choose the correct option. (i) Raw vegetable are rich in roughages. (ii) Children need more food as they grow fast. (iii) Cooking makes food free of germs.
A. Statement (i) and (iii) are correct but (ii) is incorrect.
B. Statement (i) and (ii) are correct but (iii) is incorrect.
C. All statements are correct.
D. All statements are incorrect.
Right Option : D
View Explanation

Question : 3

Mohan had a bowl of rice,two chapattis, two vegetable curries and ghee in his plate of meals. What is missing in his meals?
A. Fats	B. Proteins	C. Salt	D. Water
Right Option : B
View Explanation