Components of food

Whatever food we eat is made up of more than one component taken from plants or animals. Food should contain such type of component which provides nourishment to our body and should be responsible for the growth and development of our body. These components are called nutrients.

Energy giving nutrient: Carbohydrate and fat

Bodybuilding nutrient: Protein

Nutrient protect the body from disease: Vitamins

Nutrient needed for growth and maintenance: Minerals

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrate is the main component of food. It provides us energy in the form of glucose. Carbohydrates found in starch and sugar-containing food items. For example potato, rice, bread, sugary drinks like fruit juices, wheat, etc.

Fat:

Fat also provides energy to our body more than carbohydrate.  Fat may also be hazardous to our health. It can cause high cholesterol and heart diseases. Ghee, cheese, butter, oil, cream are some food items containing fat. 

Protein:

Our body uses to build and repair tissues for which the body needs proteins. Nails, hairs, skin, muscles, and blood all are made up of proteins. Egg, meat, fish, oats, dal, almond, milk, yogurt are some rich sources of protein.

Listing out food components

Collect some food packets and list out the food components present in it. put a tick mark if you find the listed food components present in food items. Collect some other food packets as well like those of chips, milk, juice, dal, etc. and identify the different components present in them and record them in the table given.

S.No	Food items	Carbohydrates	Proteins	Fat	Vitamins & Minerals	Other if any
1	Milk powder					Sugar
2	Chips					Chillies
3	Coffee					Chickory
4	Juice					Sugar

1. What are the components found in biscuits?

Ans: In biscuits the following components are present.

Carbohydrates, Protein, fat, sugars, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, cholesterol, calcium, iron, iodine, and vitamins.

2. What components are most common in your list?

Ans: The common components in the list are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, sugars, minerals, and vitamins.

3. Do you find any vitamins and minerals in them? What are they?

Ans: I find vitamins and minerals in the biscuits.

They are Vitamin-D, Vitamin B, $$B_{6}$$ and $$B_{12}$$

Calcium, iron, iodine are the minerals present.

4. Where do you write salt and sugar? Why?

Ans: Salt and Sugar are written separately.

These two components are not present in all the food items as common.

5. Are there any food items with similar components?

Ans: Many ready-made food items packed will have similar components.