S3.3.3 For the adult
Nutrients and diet
Why do I need different kinds of food, and what happens if I miss one?
What this chapter teaches
Food holds nutrients, and each kind does its own job: energy, growth and repair, and keeping the body working. A mixed diet gives enough of each. Too little of a vitamin or mineral over a long time causes a deficiency disease.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Which foods at home give you energy, and which help you grow?
- Why is it better to eat many kinds of food than one kind?
- What could a health worker do for a child with bent legs or sore gums?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Explain what carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fibre do
- Name a disease caused by too little of a vitamin or mineral
What they copy into their notebook
Carbohydrates and fats give energy. Proteins build and mend. Vitamins and minerals help the body work. Fibre moves food on. Too little iron, iodine or a vitamin can cause disease.