Today, we’re going to talk about classes of food. There are six main classes of food. They include:
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fats and oils
- Vitamins
- Mineral salts
- And water
We are going to learn:
- Importance of carbohydrates
- Importance of proteins
- Importance of fats and oils
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are energy-giving food. During respiration, carbohydrates are oxidized to give energy and heat. The energy is used for work, for example:
- Walking
- Running
- Talking
- And breathing
While the heat is used to regulate body temperature.
Some sources of carbohydrates are:
- Yam
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Wheat
- And more.
Proteins
Proteins are body-building foods. They are needed in the body for building new cells, repairing damaged tissues, and for growth. When protein is not adequate in our body, it may result in poor health in an adult and if the person is a child, it may lead to stunted growth, weak muscles, swollen legs, protruded stomach, and change of hair colour.
The sources of protein are:
- Milk
- Fish
- Egg
- Chicken
- Meat
- Beans
- Yogurt
- And Melon.
So if you want to grow big and strong, make sure to eat food with protein.
Fats and oils
Just like carbohydrates, fats and oils are also energy-giving food. Fats are solid at room temperature, while oils are liquid at room temperature.
Fats are essentials are providing warmth and protecting delicate organs. When carbohydrates are inadequate for respiration, fats are used to provide energy for the body.
Major sources of fats and oils are:
- Palm oil
- Groundnuts
- Margarine
- Coconut oil
Lesson Summary
Let’s recap what you have learned today:
- The 6 classes of food
- Benefits of carbohydrates
- Benefits of proteins
- Benefits of fats and oils.
You can also watch a full recap of this lesson in the video below.
If you enjoyed this lesson, you can sign up on Gradely to experience more.
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Eniola Makinde
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