Three Other Nutrients

Carbohydrate (sugar and starch), fat, and protein are not the only nutrients the body needs. The body needs three other nutrients: water, minerals, and vitamins.

Water is all around us in rivers, in waterfalls – and in healthy bodies. Water helps our body get energy from the fat, carbohydrate, and protein you eat. Like a river carrying boats, water transports nutrients to every cell of your body. When you feel thirsty, what is your body telling you? You should drink eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy.

Minerals. There are more than a dozen minerals, including calcium, iodine, iron, and zinc. Your body doesn’t need large quantities of minerals and vitamins – less than a teaspoon a day – but these nutrients are essential to human growth and well-being.

The range of minerals is vital for the development and support of the body. For example, the body requires calcium for strong bones and teeth. Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese, spinach, and dried figs. Zinc helps the body grow; it comes mostly from seafood, meat, and yeast.

Vitamins. Vitamins, 13 in all. Each vitamin – A, the B vitamins (eight in all), C, D, E, and K – plays a part in helping the body work and in preventing certain diseases. For example, vitamin A helps keep eyes bright and clear. Good sources of vitamin A include carrots, egg yolks, sweet potatoes, and milk.

Exercise 1. Sort foods into food groups.

Under each heading, list the foods that you have placed in that group.

Bread Group:

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Vegetable Group:

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Fruit Group:

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Milk Group:

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Meat Group:

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Fats, Oils, and Sweets:

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Exercise 2. Match the words in column A with the definition in column B.

Exercise 3. A) Find in the text a word or words that mean:

1) material for creating energy

2) meat dish

3) enough

4) in a correct way

5) cause of suffering

6) reasonable

7) measurement of energy that food will produce

8) which can be trusted

9) device for weighing

10) exact