Food, Health and Diseases Chapter Notes | Eureka Plus Class 5: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Introduction

In this chapter, we will learn about the importance of food in keeping our bodies healthy, the different nutrients our body needs, and how to prevent diseases.

Balanced Diet

• Our body needs various nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
• A balanced diet is important to stay healthy.
• Carbohydrates and fats give us energy. Foods like rice, wheat, and sweet fruits are rich in carbohydrates, while fats are found in items like milk, butter, and nuts.
• Proteins help in growth and repair. Foods like pulses, milk, eggs, and meat contain proteins.
• Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health. They are found in foods like fish, liver, fruits, and vegetables.

Fibre and Water

• Fibre helps in cleaning our intestines. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good sources of fibre.
• Water is crucial for our body. It is a major part of our blood, helps regulate body temperature, aids digestion, and removes waste from our body.

Malnutrition

• If our diet lacks essential nutrients over a long time, it can lead to malnutrition.
• Malnutrition makes a person weak and more prone to sickness.
• A balanced diet is the key to overcoming malnutrition.

Diseases and Germs

• Diseases disturb the normal functions of our body and make us feel unwell.
• Microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause diseases. Disease-causing microorganisms are called germs.
• Some diseases can be passed from a sick person to a healthy person; these are called communicable diseases.

Preventing Diseases

• We should avoid eating overripe fruits, stale food, and food from unclean places.
• Keeping our surroundings clean and washing hands before touching food helps prevent the spread of germs.
• Diseases can spread through air, water, food, insects, or direct contact with a sick person.

Specific Communicable Diseases

• Some diseases, like tuberculosis, common cold, and COVID-19, spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
• Flies and mosquitoes can also spread diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, and dengue.

Prevention of Malaria and Dengue

• To prevent malaria, avoid stagnant water, introduce fish into ponds, and use mosquito nets.
• Aedes mosquitoes spread dengue, and prevention includes not allowing water collection and using mosquito nets.

Understanding Infectious Diseases

• COVID-19 is caused by a virus and spreads through contaminated air.
• Symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing.
• Prevention measures include wearing masks, maintaining distance, avoiding crowded places, and practicing good hand hygiene.

Non-communicable Diseases and Deficiency Diseases

• Diseases that do not spread from person to person are called non-communicable diseases.
• Deficiency diseases occur when our body lacks essential nutrients. Examples include scurvy, night blindness, rickets, anaemia, and goitre.

Cure and Prevention of Deficiency Diseases

• Curing deficiency diseases involves consuming foods rich in the lacking nutrients.
• For example, scurvy can be cured by eating vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, lemons, and strawberries.
• Vaccination helps our body develop immunity against certain diseases, protecting us from illnesses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining a balanced diet, practicing good hygiene, and preventing the spread of germs are essential for staying healthy. Understanding different diseases and their prevention measures empowers us to lead healthier lives.