Class 06 Science - Mindful Eating

Exercises

1. Pick the odd one out and give reasons:

• (i) Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Chana
  • Odd one: Chana.
  • Reason: Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi are all millets (cereals), whereas Chana is a pulse (legume).
• (ii) Kidney beans, Green gram, Soya bean, Rice
  • Odd one: Rice.
  • Reason: Kidney beans, Green gram, and Soya bean are all rich sources of protein (pulses/legumes), whereas Rice is a rich source of carbohydrates (cereal).

2. Discuss traditional versus modern culinary practices in India.

Answer:

• Traditional Practices: Used tools like the chulha (clay stove) for cooking and the sil-batta (stone grinder) for grinding spices manually. Cooking was often slow and used locally available seasonal ingredients.
• Modern Practices: Use gas stoves, induction cooktops, and electrical grinders/mixers for speed and convenience. Modern practices also include a wider variety of global ingredients due to better transportation.
• Reason for Change: Technological development, improved transportation, and the need for time-saving methods in a fast-paced lifestyle.

3. A teacher says that good food may act as medicine. Ravi is curious about this statement. List at least two questions that he can ask.

Answer:

1. How do specific nutrients in our food help in protecting us from diseases?
2. Can eating a balanced diet prevent the need for taking vitamin and mineral supplements?

4. Not all delicious foods are necessarily healthy, while not all nutritious foods are always enjoyable. Share your thoughts along with a few examples.

Answer: Many "delicious" foods like potato chips, burgers, and sugary drinks (junk food) are high in fats and sugars but low in nutrients, leading to health issues like obesity. Conversely, some "nutritious" foods like bitter gourd (karela) or plain sprouts might not be tasty to everyone but are essential for health, providing vitamins and fiber. However, nutritious food can be made delicious with healthy cooking methods.

5. Medu does not eat vegetables but enjoys biscuits, noodles and white bread. He often has stomach ache and constipation. What changes should he make in his diet?

Answer: Medu should include fruits, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains in his diet. His current diet consists of refined flour which lacks dietary fiber (roughage). Fiber is essential for the smooth passage of stools and preventing constipation. He should also drink plenty of water.

6. Reshma had trouble seeing things in dim light.

• (i) Which deficiency disease is she suffering from? Night blindness.
• (ii) Which food component may be lacking in her diet? Vitamin A.
• (iii) Suggest some food items: Papaya, Carrot, Mango, Milk, Green leafy vegetables.

7. You are provided the following: (i) Canned fruit juice, (ii) Fresh fruit juice, (iii) Fresh fruit. Which one would you prefer and why?

Answer: I would prefer (iii) Fresh fruit. Whole fruits contain not only vitamins and minerals but also high amounts of dietary fiber, which is often lost in juices. Fresh fruits also lack the added sugars and preservatives found in canned juices.

8. Gourav got a fracture and was given calcium tablets and later Vitamin D syrup.

• (i) Why calcium? Calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It is needed to repair the fracture.
• (ii) Why Vitamin D? Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the diet. Without Vitamin D, the calcium tablets would not be as effective.
• (iii) Question: How does the body naturally produce Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight?

9. Sugar is an example of carbohydrates. Sugar is tested with iodine solution but it does not change to blue-black colour. Why?

Answer: The iodine test specifically detects starch, which is a complex carbohydrate. Common sugar (sucrose) is a simple carbohydrate and does not react with iodine to produce a blue-black color.

10. Describe an activity to test "All starches are carbohydrates but not all carbohydrates are starches."

Answer:

• Step 1: Test a slice of potato (contains starch) with iodine. It turns blue-black, proving it has starch (a carbohydrate).
• Step 2: Test a sugar solution with iodine. It remains brown/yellow, proving that although sugar is a carbohydrate, it is not starch.
• Conclusion: Starch is just one type of carbohydrate.

11. Iodine on a saree turned blue-black but not on socks. Why?

Answer: The saree likely contains starch (often used as a stiffening agent in cotton fabrics), while the socks (likely synthetic or wool) do not contain starch.

12. Why are millets considered a healthy choice? Can eating just millets suffice?

Answer: Millets (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi) are rich in minerals (iron, calcium), vitamins, and fiber. They are called "nutri-cereals." However, eating only millets is not enough; a balanced diet requires other components like proteins (pulses), fats, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

13. How would you check if a solution is iodine solution?

Answer: Apply a drop of the solution to a slice of raw potato or boiled rice. If the area turns blue-black, the solution is an iodine solution.