Classes of food Our body depends on food for energy to do work and stay healthy.

We also need food to grow. Foods are divided into seven classes. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals are also call nutrients because they contain useful substances required by our body .The process of obtaining and using nutrient from food is called nutrition Carbohydrates Carbohydrates organic compounds made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates supply most of the energy our body need. What foods are rich in carbohydrates? Carbohydrates include sugar, starches and cellulose. Sugars are sweet and dissolve readily in water. An example of sugars is glucose. Sugar found in honey, sugar cane and fruits. Starch is found in food such as rice, breads and potatoes. Glycogen or animal starch is stored in our liver and muscles. Cellulose occurs in plant cell walls. Starch, glycogen and cellulose are made of many glucose molecules joined. Protein Proteins are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Sometimes sulfur and phosphorus are also present. A molecule of protein is made of a large number of subunits called amino acids. Some of these amino acids made by our body cells while others are supplied through the food that we eat. Protein is required for growth and the repair of body tissues. Proteins are required for the formation of enzymes, hormones, hemoglobin and antibodies in our body. Fats Fats are compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Fat is stored under the skin or around organs in our body. Fat helps to keep us warm and protects organs from damage. Fat helps to transport vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat can store a lot of energy. Fat consist of smaller units of fatty acids combined with glycerol. Fats are solid while oils are liquid at room temperature. Vitamins Vitamins are organic compound needed in small amount by our body for health and growth. Vitamins are divided into two groups; the water-soluble vitamins and the fat soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins are vitamin B and C. The fat soluble vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E and K. Minerals Minerals are inorganic substances needed by our body in small amounts for healthy growth and development. Calcium, sodium, iron, iodine, phosphorus and potassium are examples of mineral that our body needed. Fibre Fibre is known as roughage. Fibre is made of cellulose from plant cell walls. Fruits, vegetables and cereals contain a lot of fibre. Our body cannot digest fibre. Fibre can hold a lot of water so that our farces remain soft and can pass from our body easily. Therefore, fibre can prevent constipation. Water Water makes up about 70 percent of our body weight. Water is the main component of our blood and body fluid. Water can dissolve a lot of other chemical in our body and allows these chemicals to react. Waste substances such as urea and salt are passed from our body in water. Water helps to regulate our body temperature. However, water loss through urine and sweat must be replaced.

Pre Reading Skill: Schema Theory Activity: Predict the information in the article using pictures based on the article.