Class 6 Science Chapter 2 NCERT Solutions discusses the various components of food we consume. Our daily food consists of grains such as dal and a dish of meat or vegetables. It may also include items like curd, buttermilk, and pickles. Now, we will discuss our body needs and how different kinds of food fulfil those.

What do Different Food Items Contain?

We know that every dish is made of one or more ingredients, which we receive from plants and animals. These ingredients contain a variety of components that our bodies require, known as nutrients. The major nutrients in our food include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Food also provides dietary fibres and water, both of which our bodies require. There are various food tests to see if the ingredients contain specific components or not. For instance-

• Test for starch to check the availability of carbohydrates.
• Test for protein to find out the presence of protein.
• Fat test to calculate the quantity of fat available.

What are the Nutritive Properties of the Various Food Components?

Carbohydrates and fats mainly provide energy to our bodies. When compared to the same amount of carbohydrates, fats provide significantly more energy. Proteins are needed for the growth and reconstruction of our bodies. Food proteins are often called ‘bodybuilding foods’. Vitamins aid in shielding our bodies against diseases. Vitamins also aid in keeping our bones, teeth, eyes, and gums healthy. The different kinds of vitamins are Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and K.

Our body needs all types of vitamins in a small amount. Vitamin A is important for the health of our skin and eyes. Vitamin C aids the body to fight against many diseases. Vitamin D aids in the use of calcium in our bones and teeth. Minerals are required by our body in small amounts. Each one is necessary for the body's optimal development and long-term health. The majority of foods include one or more nutrients. However, one nutrient may be present in substantially higher concentrations in some raw materials than in others. Rice, for example, has more carbs than any other food. Rice is categorised as a "carbohydrate-rich" food as a result.

Our bodies also require dietary fibre and water in addition to these nutrients. Dietary fibres are also known as roughage. Roughage is mostly provided by plant by-products in our foods. It is found in potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and pulses.
Water aids in the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat. It also helps in throwing out some wastes from the body in the form of urine and sweat.

For the growth and maintenance of our body, our diet should contain all the nutrients that are in the right quantities, known as a balanced diet. A balanced diet should contain a good amount of roughage and water as well. Along with consuming the right foods, they need to be cooked properly to preserve their benefits. Many vegetables and fruits have vitamin and mineral content in their skins. Rice and lentils, for example, may lose some vitamins and minerals if washed repeatedly.

Students should understand that the deficiency of each nutrient may lead to certain diseases. Let's see what they are:

• Vitamin A - Loss of vision
• Vitamin B1 - Beri Beri
• Vitamin C - Scurvy
• Vitamin D - Rickets
• Calcium - Bone and tooth decay
• Iron - Anaemia
• Iodine - Goitre

Q1. What are the major nutrients present in our food?

Solution: Major Nutrients in our food are Proteins, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Lipids, Minerals, and dietary fibres.

Q2. Name two foods each rich in:

(a) Fats

(b) Starch

(c) Dietary fibre

(d) Protein

Solutions: a) Cream, Butter

b) Rice, Wheat

c) Whole grains, raw vegetables

d) Milk, Soya bean

Q3. What do Multiple Nutrients do for our Bodies?

Solution: Carbohydrates and fats are energy-giving sources for the body. Vitamin D provides strength to our bones, and vitamin A is good for the eyes. Similarly, vitamin C, vitamin E, the vitamin B complex, fibres, proteins, calcium are all significant to the body

Q4. What is a Balanced Diet?

Solution: A balanced diet contains an adequate quantity of all the nutrients required by our body.

Q5. What are the Deficiency Diseases?

Solution: 

• Vitamin A - Loss of vision
• Vitamin B1 - Beri Beri
• Vitamin C - Scurvy
• Vitamin D - Rickets
• Calcium - Bone and tooth decay
• Iron - Anaemia
• Iodine - Goitre

Q6. What do you mean by carbohydrates?

Ans. Carbohydrates are hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen-based molecules that supply energy to our bodies.

Q7. Name two carbohydrates-producing chemicals.

Ans. (i) Potato   ii) Rice/wheat/maize/sugar

Q8. Give two examples of energy-producing nutrients.

Ans: (i) Carbohydrates    (ii) Fats 

Q9. Identify two nutrients that help to keep the body healthy.

Ans: (i) Vitamins and (ii) Minerals 

Q10. Give two examples of plant foods that are strong in protein for our bodies.

Ans: (i) Dal (plenty of pulses)  (ii) Soyabean

Q11. Identify two fat-containing foods.

Ans: (i) Ghee (ii) Oils

Q12: Describe the different types of vitamins.

Ans. Vitamin A, Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K are examples of different types of vitamins.

Q13. Identify a vitamin that belongs to a group of vitamins.

Ans. B-complex vitamins

Q14. Name two vitamin A sources. Ans:

Ans. (i) Milk (ii) Fish-oil

Q15. List two vitamin B sources.

Ans: (i) Liver and (ii) Beans 

Q16. List two vitamin C sources.

Ans: (i) Oranges and limes

(ii) Amla

Q17. List two vitamin D sources.

Ans: (i) Seafood

(ii) Butter

Q18. What do you mean by nutrients? Name some of the most important nutrients.

Ans: Nutrients are the components of food that our bodies require for growth and development. The most important nutrients are: Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals

Q19. What are the functions of proteins?

Ans. Proteins are referred to as "body-building" foods. They aid in the growth and repair of the body's damaged cells and tissues. They also assist our bodies in fighting illnesses.

Q20: What exactly are fats? Give some examples of fat-containing compounds.

Ans. Fats are food items that are high in energy. They give the body energy. The main sources of fat include nuts of all kinds, mustard seeds, milk, and butter. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are all present in fats, although fats have less oxygen than carbs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to tell whether your food contains fat. 

Ans: Using a sheet of white paper, rub a small amount of the food item on it. You will notice that the white paper has an oily patch on it, indicating that the food item contains fat.

2. What are vitamins and what do they do? Make a list of different vitamins.

Ans: They aid optimal body functioning and are only necessary in small amounts by the body. Vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

3. Describe why individuals who eat seafood are not affected by Goitre.

Ans: Yes, because seafood is high in Iodine, and Goitre is a deficiency condition caused by a lack of Iodine.

4. Excess fat intake is the cause of obesity. Is it also possible to consume too many proteins or vitamins in one's diet without harming the body?

Ans. Yes, consuming too many proteins and vitamins in one's diet is unhealthy and can lead to other illnesses.

Food is discussed in Chapter 2 of Class 6 as the most important thing for all living organisms. The nutrients found in food are discussed in this chapter, as well as the meaning of balanced diet, deficiency disorders that can be caused by a lack of nutrients in food, and the symptoms of these diseases. It is vital for students in class 6 to complete the in-chapter activities and learn from the questions to prepare for their tests.