Page 289 - New Medley 5 Semester 1

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are needed in very small

quantities. They protect us and give strength to fight
against diseases. These are called protective foods.

Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals.
This is why, our meals should have a portion of

fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals

Most vitamins get destroyed on heating or overcooking. Can you think now, why
‘salads’ are given high importance?

 Vitamin A, D, E and K dissolve in fats are called fat-soluble vitamins.

 Vitamin B and C are soluble in water and are called water-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin and mineral-containing foods are fruits, vegetables or salads and milk
(contains almost all vitamins and minerals except vitamin C).

Roughage

Roughage is the fibre present in the plant food that

cannot be digested by our digestive system. Roughage Knowledge Zone
is very important as it helps the food move through Gooseberries (amla) are
the richest source of
the digestive system. It also helps in bowel movement Vitamin C.
and prevents constipation. Rich sources of roughage

are vegetables like pumpkin, spinach, lady’s finger and cabbage, fruits, oats and
whole grain foods containing seed coats of cereals and pulses.

Water
Water is very important to stay alive. We all drink water every day. It is necessary

to drink 6–8 glasses of water every day. Though water does not contain any

nutrient, but it plays an important role in our body.
 Water provides a medium to dissolve food components for

the digestion.

 It helps maintain a constant body temperature.
 It helps in the transport of substances within the body.

 It helps remove wastes from the body in the form of urine

and sweat.
We must make sure that the water we drink is clean and germ-free.

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