??? 1. Introduction � Why Do We Need Different Foods?
We eat many different kinds of food every day. But have you ever wondered why we need so
many different foods? Why can't we just eat rice all day? The reason is that our body needs many different
nutrients to stay healthy, and no single food provides ALL the nutrients we need.
The things that our food is made of � which our body needs � are called components of
food or nutrients.
The Main Components (Nutrients) of Food:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Dietary Fibre (Roughage)
- Water
?? Image Prompt
A colorful nutrition wheel/pie chart divided into 7 sections, each labeled with a
nutrient: Carbohydrates (yellow), Proteins (red), Fats (orange), Vitamins (green), Minerals (blue),
Roughage (brown), Water (cyan). Each section has a small icon representing it � e.g., bread for carbs,
chicken for protein, olive oil for fats, apple for vitamins. Clean flat-design infographic style with
white background.
Fig. 2.1 � The 7 components of food that our body needs
? 2. Carbohydrates � The Energy Givers
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our body. They provide the
fuel needed to do all activities � running, playing, thinking, and even breathing!
Two Types of Carbohydrates:
1. Starch � A complex carbohydrate found in grains, roots, and some vegetables.
Examples: Rice, wheat, potato, maize (corn), sweet potato, bread
2. Sugar � A simple carbohydrate that tastes sweet.
Examples: Sugar (from sugarcane), honey, jaggery (gur), fruits (natural sugars)
?? NCERT Activity: Iodine Test for Starch
Method: Put a drop of iodine solution on a food item.
Result:
- If iodine turns blue-black ? Starch is PRESENT
- If no colour change (stays orange-brown) ? Starch is ABSENT
Foods that test positive for starch: Rice, potato, bread, cooked rice
Foods that test negative: Apple, cucumber (mostly water and sugar, not starch)
?? Image Prompt
A science lab experiment illustration showing a dropper adding iodine solution to
two food samples: one slice of bread (turns blue-black, labeled "Starch Present ?") and one piece of
apple (stays orange, labeled "Starch Absent ?"). Clean educational diagram with test tube, iodine bottle
labeled, and color-coded results. Simple and clear for Class 6.
Fig. 2.2 � Iodine test for detecting starch in food
?? 3. Proteins � The Body Builders
Proteins are called the "body builders" because they help in growth, repair, and
maintenance of the body. Every cell in your body contains protein. Children especially need a
lot of protein because their bodies are growing rapidly.
Sources of Protein:
- Animal sources (best quality): Milk, eggs, meat, fish, chicken
- Plant sources: Dal (lentils), rajma (kidney beans), soyabean, chana (chickpea),
peas, nuts (groundnuts, almonds)
* Dal + rice together form a complete protein � that's why this combination is so popular in India!
?? NCERT Activity: Biuret Test for Protein
Method: Crush the food into a paste. Add caustic soda (NaOH) solution, then add a drop of
copper sulphate (CuSO4) solution.
Result:
- If the mixture turns violet/purple ? Protein is PRESENT
- No colour change ? Protein is ABSENT
?? 4. Fats � The Energy Stores
Fats are also an energy source, but they provide more than double the
energy compared to the same amount of carbohydrate! Fats are stored in the body and used when extra energy
is needed. They also help keep us warm and protect our organs.
Sources of Fat:
- Animal fats: Butter, ghee, cream, milk, egg yolk, meat, fish liver oil
- Plant fats/oils: Groundnut oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, mustard oil, soyabean
oil, olive oil, nuts, seeds
?? NCERT Activity: Paper Test for Fat
Method: Rub the food on a piece of paper, let it dry, then hold it against light.
Result:
- If the paper shows a greasy/oily patch (translucent) ? Fat is
PRESENT
- If only a water stain (which dries away) ? Fat is ABSENT
When you rub a groundnut on paper and dry it, the paper becomes translucent (see-through). This is proof
of fat!
?? Image Prompt
A simple science activity illustration showing two pieces of white paper: Left
paper has a groundnut rubbed on it, showing a translucent greasy patch when held to light � labeled "Fat
PRESENT (Greasy Patch)". Right paper shows a water-rubbed spot that dried without leaving marks �
labeled "Fat ABSENT (No Patch)". Clean educational diagram with labeled arrows and light source shown.
Fig. 2.3 � Paper test for detecting fats in food
Both carbohydrates and fats give energy.
But 1 gram of fat = ~9 kcal (more energy than carbohydrates).
1 gram of carbohydrate = ~4 kcal
Too much fat stored ? can cause obesity and heart problems.
?? 5. Vitamins � The Protective Foods
Vitamins are needed in very small amounts, but they are extremely important for
protecting the body from diseases and keeping it healthy. They are called
"protective foods".
There are two groups of vitamins: Fat-soluble (dissolve in fat) and
Water-soluble (dissolve in water).
| Vitamin |
Other Name |
Sources |
Function |
Deficiency Disease |
| Vitamin A |
Retinol |
Carrot, mango, milk, egg, liver, fish oil |
Keeps eyes and skin healthy |
Night Blindness (cannot see in dim light) |
| Vitamin B |
(B1, B2, B12...) |
Whole grains, dal, meat, eggs, yeast |
Helps nervous system and energy release |
Beri-beri (weak muscles, nerve damage); Anaemia |
| Vitamin C |
Ascorbic acid |
Amla, orange, lemon, guava, tomato |
Heals wounds, keeps gums healthy, boosts immunity |
Scurvy (gums bleed, teeth fall out) |
| Vitamin D |
Calciferol |
Sunlight (skin makes it!), fish liver oil, eggs, milk |
Helps body absorb calcium for strong bones and teeth |
Rickets (soft, bent bones in children) |
| Vitamin K |
� |
Green leafy vegetables, liver |
Helps in blood clotting |
Excessive bleeding from wounds |
Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K ? "All Dogs Eat Kibble"
Water-soluble vitamins: B and C
For deficiency diseases:
A ? Night blindness (can't see at night ? "A" for "Absence of sight")
C ? Scurvy (C = "Citrus" prevents it ? amla, lemon)
D ? Rickets (D = "Dense bones needed")
B1 ? Beri-Beri
?? 6. Minerals � Essential for Body Functions
Like vitamins, minerals are needed in small amounts but are vital for
health. Minerals keep our bones, teeth, and blood healthy.
| Mineral |
Sources |
Function |
Deficiency |
| Calcium |
Milk, curd, paneer, cheese, ragi, fish |
Strong bones and teeth, muscle contraction |
Weak bones, tooth decay |
| Iron |
Spinach, dal, jaggery, meat, liver, eggs |
Makes haemoglobin in blood (carries oxygen) |
Anaemia (tiredness, pale skin) |
| Iodine |
Iodised salt, seafood, seaweed |
Production of thyroid hormones (controls growth) |
Goitre (swelling of neck/thyroid gland) |
| Phosphorus |
Milk, eggs, fish, nuts |
Bone and teeth formation, energy |
Weak bones |
Anaemia = deficiency of Iron ? less haemoglobin ? less oxygen in blood ?
tiredness, weakness, pale skin, dizziness
Goitre = deficiency of Iodine ? thyroid gland swells ? visible lump in
neck
?? 7. Dietary Fibre (Roughage)
Roughage is the part of plant food that our body cannot digest. It has no
nutritional value, but it is extremely important for healthy digestion.
What does Roughage do?
- Helps food move smoothly through the digestive system
- Prevents constipation (difficulty passing stool)
- Helps clean our intestines
- Reduces risk of colon cancer
Sources: Whole wheat, oats, fruits with skin, vegetables (especially leafy greens), bran,
sprouts, pulses
?? 8. Water � The Essential Liquid
About 70% of our body weight is water! Water is NOT a nutrient, but it is absolutely
essential for life. Without water, no life is possible.
Functions of Water:
- Dissolves food and carries nutrients to all body parts (through blood)
- Removes waste from the body (through urine and sweat)
- Regulates body temperature (through sweating)
- Lubricates joints
- Needed for all chemical reactions in the body
We should drink 8�10 glasses of water per day. We also get water from fruits, vegetables, and other
liquids.
?? 9. Balanced Diet � Eating the Right Amount of Everything
A balanced diet is a diet that contains all the nutrients in the right
amounts � not too much, not too little. It gives the body everything it needs for energy,
growth, repair, and protection.
A balanced meal plate includes:
- ?? Grains/Carbs � Roti/rice/bread (majority)
- ?? Proteins � Dal, eggs, pulses, milk, fish
- ?? Vegetables � Especially greens (vitamins and minerals)
- ?? Fruits � Fresh seasonal fruits (vitamins, water, fibre)
- ?? Fats � Small amounts of oil, ghee, nuts
- ?? Water � 8�10 glasses a day
?? Image Prompt
An illustrated "My Plate" balanced diet infographic showing a dinner plate divided
into 4 sections: grains (rice/roti), vegetables, protein (dal/eggs), and fruit. A small side circle
shows a glass of milk. Each section is labeled and color-coded. Below the plate is a glass of water.
Clean, modern flat-design illustration suitable for Class 6 students, white background, bright and
appealing colors.
Fig. 2.4 � A balanced diet plate
?? 10. Deficiency Diseases
When the body does not get enough of a particular nutrient for a long time, it leads to a deficiency disease.
Night Blindness
Deficiency of Vitamin A. Person cannot see properly in dim light or darkness. Eating
carrots, milk, and green leafy vegetables helps prevent this.
Scurvy
Deficiency of Vitamin C. Gums bleed easily, teeth may fall out, wounds don't heal
properly. Prevented by eating citrus fruits (lemon, amla, orange).
Rickets
Deficiency of Vitamin D in children. Bones become soft and bend. Legs may become
bow-shaped. Sunlight exposure and fish liver oil help prevent it.
Beri-Beri
Deficiency of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). Causes weakness of muscles, swelling, and nerve
damage. Found in people who eat only polished (white) rice.
Anaemia
Deficiency of Iron. Body cannot make enough haemoglobin ? less oxygen in blood ? extreme
tiredness, weakness, pale skin. Eat spinach, jaggery, meat.
Goitre
Deficiency of Iodine. Thyroid gland in the neck swells up, causing a visible bulge on
the neck. Using iodised salt in cooking prevents goitre.
Kwashiorkor
Severe deficiency of Protein (mostly in young children). Symptoms: swollen belly,
stunted growth, loss of hair colour, weakness. Common in developing countries.
?? 11. Quick Revision
- Food has 7 main components: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, Roughage,
Water.
- Carbohydrates and fats ? provide energy. Carbs are tested with iodine (turns
blue-black for starch).
- Proteins ? growth and repair. Tested with biuret test (turns violet).
- Fats ? energy store. Tested with paper test (greasy patch).
- Vitamins and Minerals ? protection. Needed in small amounts but critical for
health.
- Roughage ? helps in digestion, prevents constipation.
- Water ? 70% of body; essential for all body functions.
- A balanced diet contains all nutrients in the right proportions.
- Lack of nutrients ? Deficiency diseases (Night blindness, Scurvy, Rickets, Goitre,
Anaemia).
