Enhanced Learning Activities with Solutions
1. Pick the odd one out and give reasons:
- (i) Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Chana
Odd one out: Chana
Reason: Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi are millets, while Chana is a pulse. - (ii) Kidney beans, Green gram, Soya bean, Rice
Odd one out: Rice
Reason: Kidney beans, Green gram, and Soya bean are rich sources of protein, while Rice is a carbohydrate-rich food.
2. Traditional vs. modern culinary practices in India
Traditional culinary practices in India include the use of chulha (clay stove), sil-batta (stone grinder), and slow-cooking methods, which preserve the natural flavors and nutritional value of food. Modern practices involve the use of gas stoves, electric mixers, and microwaves, which save time and effort but may sometimes result in nutrient loss due to high heat.
3. Questions Ravi can ask his teacher about food acting as medicine:
- How can certain foods help in preventing or curing diseases?
- Which traditional Indian foods are known for their medicinal properties?
4. Nutritious vs. delicious foods – examples and thoughts:
Not all nutritious foods are enjoyable (e.g., boiled spinach, bitter gourd), while not all delicious foods are healthy (e.g., fried snacks, candies). A balance between taste and nutrition can be achieved with dishes like homemade stuffed parathas, which are both nutritious and tasty.
5. Dietary changes for Medu to avoid stomach ache and constipation:
Medu should reduce consumption of biscuits, noodles, and white bread, and include high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in his diet. Drinking adequate water and avoiding junk food will also help.
6. Reshma’s eyesight issue:
- (i) Deficiency disease: Night blindness
- (ii) Lacking food component: Vitamin A
- (iii) Food items to include: Papaya, carrots, mangoes, milk, green leafy vegetables.
7. Preference among canned fruit juice, fresh fruit juice, and fresh fruit:
Preferred option: Fresh fruit
Reason: Fresh fruit contains the highest nutritional value, including dietary fiber and natural vitamins, which may be reduced in processed juices.
8. Gourav’s fracture and doctor’s advice:
- (i) Why calcium tablets: Calcium is essential for strengthening bones and aiding the healing process after a fracture.
- (ii) Why Vitamin D syrup: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium efficiently for bone health.
- (iii) Question about the doctor’s choice: Why is Vitamin D essential for calcium absorption, and what are natural sources of Vitamin D?
9. Why does sugar not change to blue-black with iodine?
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate, whereas starch is a complex carbohydrate. Iodine reacts with starch to form a blue-black color, but it does not react with simple carbohydrates like sugar.
10. Raman’s statement on carbohydrates and starch:
Statement: “All starches are carbohydrates, but not all carbohydrates are starches.”
Activity: Test sugar, starch (e.g., potato), and another carbohydrate-rich food (e.g., rice) with iodine. Only starch-containing foods turn blue-black, confirming that starch is a type of carbohydrate.
11. Iodine stains Mishti’s teacher’s saree but not her socks. Why?
The saree likely contains starch (e.g., from starching the fabric), which reacts with iodine to form a blue-black color. Mishti’s socks do not contain starch, so there is no color change.
12. Why are millets a healthy choice, and can they suffice for nutrition?
Millets are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them highly nutritious. However, eating only millets may not suffice as the body also requires other nutrients like proteins, fats, and specific vitamins not present in millets.
13. How to check if a solution is iodine?
Add a drop of the solution to a piece of food containing starch (e.g., potato). If the solution turns blue-black, it indicates the presence of iodine.
Further Activities
1. Grocery unpacking and analysis of fortified foods:
Analyze nutritional labels of fortified foods like iodized salt, fortified wheat flour, and milk. Observe how added nutrients improve the overall health value.
2. Salt-making by the Apatani tribe:
The Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh produces “tapyo” salt by filtering water through specific plants and evaporating it to collect salt. This traditional method fulfills dietary requirements in remote areas.
3. Wild food varieties:
Examples:
- Ranbhajis (wild greens) from Maharashtra
- Edible mushrooms from Himachal Pradesh
- Wild berries in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh
4. Letter to principal on banning junk food:
Key points:
- Junk food contributes to obesity and health problems.
- Suggest alternatives like fruits, sprouts, and fresh juice.
5. Variation in nutritional requirements:
- Children: Need more protein and calcium for growth.
- Adults: Balanced diet with moderate calories.
- Elderly: Require soft, nutrient-dense foods and higher fiber.
6. Balanced diet chart for a 12-year-old child:
| Meal | Food Items |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Whole-grain roti/paratha, milk, boiled egg/vegetables, seasonal fruit. |
| Mid-morning snack | Handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts) and fresh juice. |
| Lunch | Rice/roti, dal, green vegetable curry, salad, curd. |
| Evening snack | Roasted chana, fruit, or ragi cookies. |
| Dinner | Light meal: khichdi, soup, or vegetable pulao with curd. |
This chart ensures adequate protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for growth and development.
Questions and Answers
1. Why is food important for our body?
Food provides energy, supports growth, repairs tissues, and protects the body from diseases. It is essential for the overall functioning and maintenance of our body.
2. What is the meaning of the Sanskrit saying “annena jātāni jivanti”?
The saying means “food gives life to living beings,” emphasizing the importance of food in sustaining life.
3. What do carbohydrates and fats provide to the body?
Carbohydrates and fats are energy-giving nutrients that fuel various activities in the body.
4. Why are proteins called body-building nutrients?
Proteins are essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues, making them vital for overall development.
5. What are vitamins and minerals called, and why?
Vitamins and minerals are called protective nutrients because they strengthen the body, boost immunity, and protect against diseases.
6. Why are roughage and water essential?
Roughage helps in digestion and ensures smooth bowel movements, while water aids in nutrient absorption, waste removal, and maintaining hydration.
7. How has cooking evolved over time?
Cooking has transitioned from traditional methods like using a chulha and sil-batta to modern techniques involving gas stoves and electric grinders, driven by technological advancements and convenience.
8. What is a balanced diet?
A balanced diet contains all essential nutrients, roughage, and water in appropriate quantities to meet the body’s needs for growth, development, and maintenance.
9. Why should we avoid junk food?
Junk food is high in sugar and fats but lacks essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and dietary fibers, leading to obesity and health issues.
10. What are millets, and why are they important?
Millets are small-sized grains, also called nutri-cereals, rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. They are highly nutritious and adaptable to various climatic conditions.
11. What are food miles, and why should we reduce them?
Food miles refer to the distance food travels from production to consumption. Reducing food miles minimizes transport costs, pollution, and ensures fresher and healthier food.
12. What is the significance of locally grown food?
Locally grown food reduces food miles, supports local farmers, and is environmentally sustainable while providing fresher and healthier options.
13. What causes scurvy, and how can it be prevented?
Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C and can be prevented by consuming citrus fruits like lemons and oranges.
14. What causes goitre, and how can it be prevented?
Goitre is caused by iodine deficiency and can be prevented by consuming iodized salt.
15. How can food testing help us?
Food testing helps identify the presence of nutrients like starch, protein, and fats, ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet.
16. What does an oily patch on paper indicate in food testing?
An oily patch indicates the presence of fats in the tested food item.
17. Why do we feel tired when we miss a meal?
Missing a meal deprives the body of energy from nutrients, making us feel tired and less energetic.
18. Why are laddoos rich in ghee and nuts consumed in winters?
Laddoos provide warmth and energy during winters, as ghee and nuts are rich sources of fats and calories.
19. How can deficiency diseases be prevented?
Deficiency diseases can be prevented by eating a balanced diet that includes all essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
20. Why should we include raw and uncooked vegetables in our diet?
Raw and uncooked vegetables retain more nutrients, like Vitamin C, that can be lost during cooking.
21. What are the symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency?
Vitamin A deficiency can cause poor vision, night blindness, and in severe cases, complete loss of vision.
22. How does the body get Vitamin D naturally?
The body produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
23. Why is it important to wash fruits and vegetables before eating?
Washing removes dirt, chemicals, and harmful microorganisms, ensuring food safety and hygiene.
24. What is iodized salt, and why is it important?
Iodized salt is common salt mixed with iodine. It prevents iodine deficiency and associated diseases like goitre.
25. How do millets contribute to a balanced diet?
Millets are rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, making them an excellent addition to a balanced diet.
26. Why should we respect food?
Food is a result of hard work by farmers and others in the supply chain. Respecting food by avoiding wastage ensures gratitude and sustenance for everyone.
27. What are fortified foods?
Fortified foods are those enriched with additional nutrients, such as iodized salt or vitamin-enriched cereals, to improve their nutritional value.
28. What changes in cooking practices have occurred over time?
Traditional methods like using chulha and sil-batta have been replaced by gas stoves, electric grinders, and other modern tools for convenience and efficiency.
29. What is the importance of dietary fibers?
Dietary fibers aid digestion, prevent constipation, and promote overall gut health.
30. How can we support sustainable food practices?
We can support sustainable food practices by eating locally grown food, reducing food miles, avoiding wastage, and promoting environmentally friendly farming methods.
No Responses