The nutrients in food and how to eat well. Read, watch the plate, sort foods, then play.
What it is
The useful things in our food are called nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, plus dietary fibre and water.
Why it works
Each nutrient does a special job in the body, so a healthy diet needs several of them, not just one.
Why it matters
Knowing nutrients helps us choose meals that keep us strong and well.
A few examples
Rice gives carbohydrates. Egg and dal give protein. Orange gives vitamins.
What it is
Carbohydrates and fats give energy, proteins build and repair the body, and vitamins and minerals protect us from illness.
Why it works
Because each nutrient has its own job, missing one can make us weak or unwell, so we need all of them in the right amounts.
Why it matters
This tells us why a plate needs a mix of foods, not just one favourite.
A few examples
Carbohydrates give energy. Proteins build the body. Vitamins protect it.
What it is
Foods can be grouped by their main job: energy foods, body-building foods, and protective foods.
Why it works
Grouping foods this way makes it easy to plan a meal with a bit of each, which is what a balanced diet means.
Why it matters
This grouping is a simple guide to eating well every day.
A few examples
Rice and ghee are energy foods. Egg and dal build the body. Fruits protect it.
What it is
Our food comes from plants (like wheat, fruits and vegetables) and from animals (like milk, eggs and fish).
Why it works
Knowing the source helps us understand what we eat and where it is grown or reared.
Why it matters
This connects our meals to farming and to caring for plants and animals.
A few examples
Wheat and apples come from plants. Milk and eggs come from animals.
What it is
Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts but keep us healthy. Missing them causes deficiency problems.
Why it works
Each has a special role: vitamin A for eyes, vitamin C to fight illness, calcium and iron for bones and blood. Eating varied food supplies them all.
Why it matters
This shows why fruits, vegetables and milk are so important.
A few examples
Vitamin A keeps eyes healthy. Calcium builds bones. Iron makes healthy blood.
What it is
A balanced diet has the right amounts of all nutrients, plus fibre and water. Mindful eating means eating slowly and only as much as you need.
Why it works
When the plate has a bit of everything, the body gets all it needs and stays healthy. Too much sugar or fried food upsets this balance.
Why it matters
This helps us build lifelong healthy eating habits.
A few examples
A balanced meal mixes grains, dal or egg, vegetables and fruit. Water is the best drink.
The four food groups on one plate, with a glow moving round them.
Drag each food into the nutrient it mainly gives. sorted 0/8
Have a go first, then tap to see the clear steps.
Q1. Which nutrient does rice mainly give us?
Q2. Which nutrient builds and repairs the body?
Q3. Does milk come from a plant or an animal?
Q4. Which vitamin keeps our eyes healthy?
Q5. What is the best drink to keep the body healthy?
Q6. What do we call a diet with the right amounts of all nutrients?