Grade 3 · Unit 2: Looking after ourselves

Food groups

Rice, fish, dal and fruit – what does each one do for you?

A family meal gives energy for work, school and play.

Why we eat

Food gives us energy to move, think and keep warm. Food also helps us grow and stay healthy. Different foods do different jobs, so we sort them into food groups.

Energy foods

Rice, roti, bread, potatoes and noodles are carbohydrates. They give us energy quickly. Sugar is also a carbohydrate, but we should eat only a little.

Football players and runners often eat extra carbohydrates before a big match, because their muscles need lots of energy.

Body-building foods

Fish, meat, eggs, milk, dal and beans contain proteins. Proteins help us grow. They also repair our body when we are hurt.

Children need lots of protein because they are still growing. Dal is a cheap and tasty way to get protein.

Keeping healthy

Fruits and vegetables give us vitamins and minerals. They also have fibre, which helps our food move through the body. Oil, butter and ghee are fats. We need a little fat, but not too much.

Milk, small fish eaten with their bones and green leafy shak contain calcium, a mineral that makes bones and teeth strong.

What I learnt