- Nutrients required by our body are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibres, water
- Carbohydrates –
- Provides energy
- Two forms – starch and sugars
- Sugars can be sucrose, glucose, etc. Starch can be obtained from corn , potatoes, etc.
- Fats –
- Produce higher amount of energy than carbohydrates
- Two forms – Animal fats (solid at room temp.) and vegetable oils (liquid at room temp.
- Animal fat – butter, ghee, lard, tallow, etc
- Vegetable oil – soyabeans, sunflower, corn, cottonseeds, peanut etc
- Proteins –
- Proteins are responsible for growth and repair of the body
- Proteins are major component in enzymes, hormones etc
- Proteins are also important in formation of bones, muscles, skin, cartilage, etc
- Sources of proteins – milk, eggs, seafood and beans.
- Vitamins –
- Protects from diseases
- Helps in obtaining calcium and similar minerals in food, growth of teeth and bones, etc
- Sources of vitamins – milk, eggs, fish, sunlight, green leafy vegetables, fruits etc
- Minerals –
- Helps in digestion, functioning of nervous system
- Here are some minerals their functions and sources
Mineral Target Source Iron Blood Green vegetables, lentils, beans, apple, watermelon etc Calcium Bones and teeth Milk , eggs Iodine hormone Iodised salt, milk, ginger, leafy vegetables, fish and other seafood Potassium Nerve signals, muscle contraction, etc Potatoes, mushroom, cucumber, etc - Dietary Fibres –
- These do not provide nutrition to body but are important for waste removal
- Keeps digestive system healthy
- Sources of fibres – grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables
- Water –
- Important for obtaining nutrients from food
- Regulates body temperature.
- Removes unwanted and harmful substances from body through sweat and urine
- Helps in conversion of food into energy
- Sources of water – water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, cooked food etc.
- Balanced diet – Food which have nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibres and water in a required quantity is called balanced diet
- Important points about balanced diet
- Balanced diet can be obtained in our daily meals
- Use simples serves of mixture of cereals, mixture of cereals with ragi jowar and bajra, eating fruits and green vegetables, having fermented foods, etc.
- Avoid over cooking of food
- Wash vegetables before cutting.
- Cook food completely
- Avoid eating junk food
- Undernutrition / undernourishment – Condition of nutrient is less or not available for longer time
- Overnutrition / over nourishment – Condition in which nutrients are in excess
- Malnutrition – Undernutrition or overnutrition causes malnutrition. Malnutrition causes abnormal development of body stunted growth and many such problems.
- Deficiency diseases :
- Proteins deficiency – Causes stunted growth, face swelling, discoloration of the hair, different skin diseases, diarrhoea, etc
- Carbohydrate deficiency – Body growth is affected
- Mineral deficiency –
Mineral deficiency Effects Iron lack of haemoglobin, lack of red blood cells, anemia, etc Calcium muscular cramps, abnormal heart beat etc Iodine Poor growth of body, mental retardation, goitre,etc Potassium breathing difficulties, digestive symptoms, mood changes, etc - Vitamin deficiency –
Vitamin deficiency Effects Vitamin A Poor vision, night blindness, complete blindness, etc Vitamin D Bones becomes soft and weak, etc Vitamin B1 Beriberi, etc Vitamin C Scurvy, inability of body to heal the wounds, etc/td>
| Test | Observation | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| For Starch | If Colour turns blue black | Starch is present |
| For Protein | If Violet color appears | Proteins is present |
| For Fats | If stain on filter paper is translucent | Fats are present |

Components of balanced diet