EVS / Science
Food We Eat
Learning Objectives
- I can name the different sources of food (plants and animals).
- I can describe the main nutrients and why our body needs them.
- I can explain what a balanced diet is.
- I can list different methods of cooking food.
- I can tell why food preservation is important.
- I can describe good food habits for staying healthy.
Let Us Begin!
What did you eat for breakfast today? Maybe roti with dal, idli with chutney, or bread with butter?
Food gives us energy to play, study, and grow. Just like a car needs petrol to run, our body needs food to work properly. Different foods give us different things — some make us strong, some give us energy, and some protect us from diseases.
Let us learn about the food we eat and how to eat healthy!
Where Does Our Food Come From?
We get food from two main sources:
1. Plants (Plant-based food)
| Part of Plant | Food We Get | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Roots | Vegetables | Carrot, Radish, Beetroot, Potato (tuber) |
| Stems | Vegetables, Sugar | Sugarcane, Potato, Ginger |
| Leaves | Leafy vegetables | Spinach (palak), Fenugreek (methi), Cabbage |
| Flowers | Vegetables | Cauliflower, Broccoli, Banana flower |
| Fruits | Fruits | Mango, Apple, Banana, Orange, Guava |
| Seeds | Grains, Pulses, Spices | Rice, Wheat, Dal, Mustard, Cumin |
2. Animals (Animal-based food)
| Animal | Food We Get |
|---|---|
| Cow / Buffalo | Milk, Butter, Ghee, Curd, Paneer, Cheese |
| Hen | Eggs, Chicken |
| Goat | Milk, Meat |
| Fish | Fish (rich in protein) |
| Honeybee | Honey |
Nutrients in Our Food
Food contains special substances called nutrients that help our body in different ways:
| Nutrient | What It Does | Foods Rich in It |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Give us energy to play and work | Rice, Roti, Bread, Potato, Sugar |
| Proteins | Help us grow and repair body | Dal, Milk, Eggs, Paneer, Fish, Soybean |
| Fats | Give us extra energy and keep us warm | Ghee, Butter, Oil, Nuts, Cheese |
| Vitamins | Protect us from diseases | Fruits, Vegetables, Milk, Eggs |
| Minerals | Make bones and teeth strong | Milk (calcium), Spinach (iron), Banana (potassium) |
| Water | Keeps body hydrated and cool | Water, Juices, Fruits, Soups |
| Fibre (Roughage) | Helps in digestion | Whole grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Salad |
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is a meal that contains all the nutrients in the right amounts. It keeps us healthy and strong.
Example
A Balanced Indian Meal
Lunch: Rice/Roti (carbohydrates) + Dal (protein) + Sabzi/Vegetables (vitamins, minerals) + Curd (protein, calcium) + Salad (fibre) + A fruit (vitamins)
This meal has all the nutrients our body needs!
Eating only one type of food is not healthy. If you eat only rice, you get energy but not enough protein to grow. That's why we need a mix of different foods!
Junk Food vs Healthy Food:
| Junk Food (Eat Less) | Healthy Food (Eat More) |
|---|---|
| Chips, Samosa, Pizza, Burger | Fruits, Vegetables, Dal, Roti |
| Cold drinks, Packaged juice | Milk, Lassi, Fresh juice, Water |
| Chocolates, Toffees, Cake | Dry fruits, Jaggery (gur), Honey |
| Too much oil, salt, sugar | Home-cooked food with less oil |
Methods of Cooking
We cook food to make it tasty, soft, and safe to eat (cooking kills germs). Different methods of cooking:
| Method | How It Works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling | Cooking in hot water | Rice, Eggs, Dal, Potatoes |
| Frying | Cooking in hot oil | Puri, Pakora, Samosa |
| Roasting | Cooking over direct fire/heat | Corn (bhutta), Papad, Peanuts |
| Baking | Cooking in an oven | Bread, Cake, Biscuits |
| Steaming | Cooking with steam (no oil) | Idli, Dhokla, Momos |
| Grinding | Making paste or powder | Chutney, Masala, Atta (flour) |
Food Preservation
Food can go bad (spoil) if not stored properly. Preservation means keeping food fresh for longer:
| Method | How It Works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Keeping food cold slows germs | Milk, Vegetables, Fruits |
| Drying | Removing water stops germs | Mango papad, Dry fruits, Chips |
| Pickling | Adding salt/oil/vinegar | Mango pickle, Lemon pickle |
| Adding sugar | Sugar preserves food | Jam, Jelly, Murabba |
| Canning | Sealing food in airtight containers | Canned fruits, Juices |
Good Food Habits
- 🍽️ Eat at regular times — breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 🧼 Always wash hands before eating
- 🥗 Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day
- 💧 Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily
- 🚫 Avoid too much junk food, cold drinks, and sweets
- 🍱 Eat home-cooked food — it is healthier
- 🐌 Chew food slowly and properly
- 🧹 Keep food covered to protect from flies and dust
- 🚶 Do not eat while walking or watching TV
Key Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nutrients | Substances in food that help our body grow and stay healthy |
| Carbohydrates | Nutrients that give us energy (rice, roti, bread) |
| Proteins | Nutrients that help us grow (dal, milk, eggs) |
| Vitamins | Nutrients that protect us from diseases (fruits, vegetables) |
| Balanced diet | A meal with all nutrients in right amounts |
| Junk food | Unhealthy food with too much oil, salt, or sugar |
| Preservation | Keeping food fresh for a longer time |
| Fibre | Roughage that helps in digestion |
⭐ Key Points to Remember
- Food comes from plants (fruits, vegetables, grains) and animals (milk, eggs, fish).
- Nutrients: Carbohydrates (energy), Proteins (growth), Fats (warmth), Vitamins (protection), Minerals (strong bones), Water, Fibre.
- A balanced diet has all nutrients in the right amounts.
- Cooking methods: Boiling, Frying, Roasting, Baking, Steaming.
- Preservation: Refrigeration, Drying, Pickling, Adding sugar, Canning.
- Good habits: Eat at regular times, wash hands, eat fruits/vegetables, avoid junk food.
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
1. Food gives us to play and work.
2. We get milk from and .
3. give us energy (rice, roti, bread).
4. help us grow and repair our body (dal, eggs).
5. A meal with all nutrients in right amounts is called a .
6. Idli and dhokla are cooked by .
7. Keeping food in a fridge is called .
8. We should drink glasses of water daily.
9. Spinach and methi are vegetables.
10. in food helps in digestion (roughage).
B. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which nutrient gives us energy?
2. Which food is rich in protein?
3. Which is a method of cooking?
4. Which is junk food?
5. We get honey from:
C. Short Answer Questions
1. Name three foods we get from plants and three from animals.
2. What is a balanced diet? Why is it important?
3. Name three methods of cooking with one example each.
4. Why should we avoid junk food?
5. Write three good food habits.
D. True or False
1. Proteins give us energy.
2. Milk is rich in calcium.
3. Junk food is good for health.
4. We should wash hands before eating.
5. Rice is a food we get from animals.
E. Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Carbohydrates | a. Helps us grow |
| 2. Proteins | b. Protects from diseases |
| 3. Vitamins | c. Gives energy |
| 4. Fats | d. Helps digestion |
| 5. Fibre | e. Keeps us warm |
🎨 Fun Activities
Activity 1: My Food Diary
Write what you ate yesterday. Identify which nutrient each food gives:
| Meal | Food I Ate | Main Nutrient |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | ||
| Lunch | ||
| Snack | ||
| Dinner |
Activity 2: Draw a balanced meal plate with all food groups.
Want a printable worksheet? Switch to the Worksheet View, then print.