1. Why do we need food?

Food is one of our basic needs. We need food to survive. Food gives us energy and helps us to grow. Our body uses up energy everyday, not only to walk or exercise but for everything. Our body is still using up fuel when we sleep as our heart and other organs are still working hard. Food contains not only these essential fuels, but also other nutrients which help to keep our bones, hair, nails and skin strong and supple. It also contains other goodness which helps to keep our immune system strong and keep us fit and healthy.

2. What happens if we do not eat proper food?

If we do not proper food, we become weak and unhealthy. When we are weak we will not able to do anything. Eating proper food can help us achieve and maintain weight loss, prevent chronic diseases and allow our body to perform all the necessary functions of daily living like breathing, digesting, healing and thinking.       

3. Name some energy giving foods.

Sugar, potato, leafy vegetables and oil gives us energy to grow and work.

4. Name some body building foods.

Rice, milk, eggs and sprouted pulses helps us build our body and keeps us healthy and strong.

5. What are nutrients?

Nutrients are the vitamins, minerals and other substances in food that keep your body healthy and help it grow. Nutrients are essential for growth in both plants and animals also. We need different kinds of food for our body in the right proportion. Different foods have different nourishing substances which we need to live and grow. These substances are called nutrients.

6. What are cereals? Name some cereals.

Cereals are grain crops. Cereal grains are grown in greater quantities and provide more food energy worldwide than any other type of crop. They are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, oils and protein.

Example: Wheat, Maize and Rice.

7. What is a fruit? Name some fruits.

A fruit  is a part of a flowering plant. It is the fleshy covering around the seed of plants. Humans and many animals have become dependent on fruits as a source of food. Fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of a plant that are sweet and edible in the raw state.

Example :  Apple, Orange, Banana

8. What do you mean by spices?

Spice is an aromatic vegetable substance used to flavour food. A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavour, colour or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are parts of leafy green plants also used for flavouring or as garnish.

9. Name some common spices used in India.

The frequently used spices in Indian cuisine are chilli pepper, black pepper, mustard seed, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, asafoetida, ginger and garlic. One of the popular spice mixes is garam masala, which is usually a powder of five or more dried spices. It commonly comprises of cardamom, cinnamon and clove.

10. What do you mean by energy giving foods?

Energy giving foods are foods that include carbohydrates and fats.Energy obtained from food or from the body is used to maintain metabolism and to carry out physical activities. Carbohydrates are one of the nutrients that provide our bodies with energy. They are the body's most efficient fuel. Sugars and starches are the two main types of carbohydrates. When starchy foods are eaten and digested, simple sugars like glucose are obtained.