Food and nutrition
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Say what nutrition is, and explain why animals, including humans, cannot make their own food
- Sort foods into the five food groups: fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, protein foods, dairy foods and oils and spreads
- Say what carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, and water do for the body
- Explain what a balanced diet is, and choose a balanced meal from different food groups
- Compare what different animals eat, and name a herbivore, a carnivore and an omnivore
- Count items in a survey of food, and record the results in a table and a bar chart
You should already know
- What animals need to stay alive: food, water and air, and what a healthy diet means (Year 2 Science, staying healthy)
- How the leaves of a plant use light to make food, and what plants need to grow (Year 3 Science, Chapter 3)
Where this leads
- Skeletons and muscles, which need the right nutrition to work well (Year 3 Science, Chapter 6)
- Food chains, and how animals depend on the plants and animals they eat (Year 4 Science)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 science, Year 3. Content: A1 identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Think about the part of the plant that is green and flat.
- Read the chapter about plants. The leaves use light to make food for the plant.leaves use light
- Write the answer. leaves
Check. Leaves make food using light, water and air. ✓
Method. Think about what an animal must have to stay alive.
- Think about the list. Every animal needs water, food and air to stay alive.water, food, air
- Write the answer. Accept any one of: water, food, air.
Check. Animals need water, food and air. ✓
Method. Think about the stage that starts when a seed begins to grow.
- Read the stage. When a seed begins to grow, it is called germination.germination
- Write the answer. germination
Check. Germination is the start of growth from a seed. ✓
Method. Think about the part that holds the plant up.
- Read the chapter about plant parts. The stem holds the plant up and carries water up to the leaves.stem
- Write the answer. stem
Check. The stem also carries water up the plant. ✓
Method. Think about the direction of the light.
- Read the chapter about seedlings. The shoot grows up towards the light.up
- Write the answer. up
Check. The root grows down into the soil; the shoot grows up. ✓
Animals need nutrition
Nutrition is the food and drink that a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy. Animals, including humans, need nutrition every day.
Plants can make their own food. Their leaves use light from the Sun, together with water and air, to make food for the plant. Animals cannot do this. An animal cannot make its own food from light.
So an animal has to get its nutrition by eating. The food it eats gives it what it needs.
Animals need the right types of food, and the right amount. Too little food can leave an animal weak and unwell.
Key ideas
- Nutrition is the food and drink that a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy.
- Plants can make their own food, using light.
- Animals, including humans, cannot make their own food. They get nutrition from what they eat.
- Animals need the right types of food, and the right amount.
Method. Compare the plant with the animal.
- Look at the plant. A plant uses light in its leaves to make its own food.plant: light makes food
- Look at the animal. An animal cannot make food from light, so it must eat.animal: must eat
- Write the answer. no
Check. Animals get nutrition by eating. ✓
Method. Read the definition.
- Read the words. Food and drink that a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy is called nutrition.food and drink
- Name it. The word for this is nutrition.nutrition
- Write the answer. nutrition
Check. Nutrition is needed by animals, including humans. ✓
Watch out. Nutrition is the whole idea of food and drink. Do not write only food.
Method. Think about what an animal does to get its food.
- Think about the animal. An animal cannot make its own food.cannot make food
- Give the way. So it gets its nutrition by eating.by eating
- Write the answer. by eating
Check. A hen gets nutrition by eating grain and greens. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: plants and animals both need food, but they get it in different ways. A plant makes its food from light. An animal must eat its food.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at a pet, such as a rabbit or a guinea pig, or a picture of one. Make a list of the food it eats. Do not feed any animal without asking a grown-up first. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Can a rabbit make its own food from sunlight? How does it get what it needs?” Let your child explain the answer in their own words.
Exercise 5A Animals need nutrition
Method. Think about the word for food and drink that keeps a living thing healthy.
- Read the definition. The food and drink a living thing needs is called nutrition.nutrition
- Write the answer. nutrition
Check. Nutrition is needed to stay alive and grow. ✓
Method. Think about how the leaves of a plant work.
- Read the chapter. Plants can make their own food, using light in their leaves.plants make food
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Leaves use light to make food. ✓
Method. Compare the animal with the plant.
- Read the chapter. Animals cannot make their own food, so they must eat.must eat
- Write the answer. no
Check. Animals get nutrition from what they eat. ✓
Method. Think about what leaves need from the Sun.
- Read the sentence. Plants use light from the Sun to make food.light
- Write the answer. light
Check. Light is needed for plants to make food. ✓
Method. Think about how an animal gets its food.
- Read the sentence. Animals get nutrition by eating food.eat
- Write the answer. eat
Check. Animals must eat to get nutrition. ✓
Method. Think about what every animal needs.
- Think about the list. Every animal needs water, food and air to stay alive.water, food, air
- Write the answer. Accept any one of: water, food, air.
Check. Water, food and air keep an animal alive. ✓
Method. Think about what a hen needs to get its nutrition.
- Think about the hen. A hen gets its nutrition from the food that it eats.food it eats
- Choose the word. So the hen gets nutrition by eating.eating
- Write the answer. eating
Check. Eating gives the hen nutrition. ✓
Method. Think about where the nutrition in the grain and greens goes.
- Read the story. The hen eats grain and greens, which are food.grain and greens
- Give the answer. So the hen gets its nutrition from the food it eats.from the food it eats
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says the hen gets its nutrition from the grain and greens it eats.
Check. Animals get nutrition from what they eat. ✓
Method. Think about the two things that an animal needs from its food.
- Think about the amount. An animal needs the right amount of food.amount
- Think about the types. An animal also needs the right types of food, so the type matters too.types
- Write the answer. No. Accept any reason that says animals need the right types of food as well as the right amount.
Check. The right types and the right amount are both needed. ✓
Method. Look at the picture on the left.
- Read the labels. The left side says a plant makes its own food using light.plant
- Name the one. So the plant makes its own food.plant
- Write the answer. plant
Check. The rabbit cannot make its own food. ✓
Method. Look at the picture on the right.
- Read the labels. The right side says an animal must eat its food.animal must eat
- Name the one. So the rabbit must eat to get its nutrition.rabbit
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. The plant makes its own food, so it does not need to eat. ✓
Method. Think about what happens when an animal does not get the right amount of food.
- Think about the amount. A hamster that gets too little food does not get enough nutrition.not enough nutrition
- Make the prediction. So the hamster may become weak or unwell.weak or unwell
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says the hamster may become weak or unwell, because it does not get enough nutrition.
Check. Animals need the right amount of food to stay healthy. ✓
Method. Think about where an animal gets its nutrition.
- Think about the animal. An animal cannot make its own food from light.cannot make
- Give the reason. So it must eat to get the nutrition it needs to stay healthy.must eat
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says an animal cannot make its own food, so it needs to eat to get the nutrition it needs.
Check. Eating gives an animal the nutrition that keeps it healthy. ✓
The five food groups
Foods can be sorted into food groups. A food group is a group of foods that have similar nutrients, and that do similar jobs in the body. Our bodies need foods from every group, but not the same amount from each one.
In this chapter we use short names for the groups: fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, protein foods, dairy foods and oils and spreads.
| Food group | Examples | Short name in this chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit and vegetables | apples, bananas, carrots, peas, broccoli | fruit and vegetables |
| Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods | potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, oats | starchy foods |
| Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins | beans, lentils, fish, eggs, chicken | protein foods |
| Dairy and alternatives | milk, yoghurt, cheese | dairy foods |
| Oils and spreads | olive oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil | oils and spreads |
Some foods, such as crisps, sweets, cakes and biscuits, are high in fat, sugar or salt. They are not in any food group. We eat them only sometimes, and in small amounts.
Key ideas
- A food group is a group of foods with similar nutrients that do similar jobs in the body.
- The five food groups are: fruit and vegetables; starchy foods; protein foods; dairy foods; oils and spreads.
- Foods high in fat, sugar or salt are not in a food group. We eat them only sometimes.
- Our bodies need foods from every group, in the right amounts.
Method. Think about which group fruit belongs to.
- Find the apple. An apple is a fruit.apple = fruit
- Name the group. Fruit goes in the fruit and vegetables group.fruit and vegetables
- Write the answer. fruit and vegetables
Check. Apples are in the fruit and vegetables group. ✓
Watch out. Fruit and vegetables are one group, not two.
Method. Find the food group that has meat, fish and beans in it.
- Find eggs in the table. Eggs are in the group called beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.eggs in the protein group
- Use the short name. In this chapter that group is called protein foods.protein foods
- Write the answer. protein foods
Check. Eggs, fish and beans are protein foods. ✓
Method. Check each food against the five groups.
- Check the apple. An apple is in the fruit and vegetables group.apple: in a group
- Check the bread. Bread is a starchy food, so it is in a group.bread: in a group
- Check the crisps. Crisps are high in fat, sugar or salt, so they are not in a food group.crisps: not in a group
- Write the answer. crisps
Check. Apples and bread are in groups, but crisps are not. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a food group is not the same as a meal. A meal can have foods from several groups. Also, foods high in fat, sugar or salt are not a sixth food group.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look in a kitchen cupboard or a fridge. Sort five foods into the five food groups, or into the group “foods high in fat, sugar or salt” if they are not in a group. Wash your hands before you touch any food.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which group does this food belong in? Is it something we eat every day, or only sometimes?” Let your child place each food in a group.
Exercise 5B The five food groups
Method. Count the groups in the table.
- Count the rows. The table has one row for each food group.five rows
- Write the answer. 5
Check. There are five food groups. ✓
Method. Think about what kind of food a carrot is.
- Find carrots in the table. Carrots are in the fruit and vegetables group.fruit and vegetables
- Write the answer. fruit and vegetables
Check. Carrots are a vegetable. ✓
Method. Think about the foods that are made from grain.
- Find bread in the table. Bread is in the potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods group.starchy foods
- Write the answer. starchy foods
Check. Bread is a starchy food. ✓
Method. Think about which group milk belongs to.
- Find milk in the table. Milk is in the dairy and alternatives group.dairy foods
- Write the answer. dairy foods
Check. Milk is a dairy food. ✓
Method. Look at the last group in the table.
- Find oil in the table. Olive oil is in the oils and spreads group.oils and spreads
- Write the answer. oils and spreads
Check. Oils are in the oils and spreads group. ✓
Method. Think about which group has beans, fish, eggs and meat.
- Find beans in the table. Beans are in the group called beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.protein foods
- Write the answer. protein foods
Check. Beans are a protein food. ✓
Method. Think about the group of foods that give energy.
- Read the table. Potatoes, rice and pasta are starchy foods.starchy
- Write the answer. starchy
Check. Starchy foods include potatoes, rice and pasta. ✓
Method. Think about the group that has eggs and beans in it.
- Read the table. Eggs and beans are protein foods.protein
- Write the answer. protein
Check. Protein foods include eggs and beans. ✓
Method. Think about the group that has milk in it.
- Find yoghurt. Yoghurt is a dairy food.dairy foods
- Write the answer. dairy foods
Check. Yoghurt is made from milk. ✓
Method. Think about what kind of food peas are.
- Find peas. Peas are a vegetable.fruit and vegetables
- Write the answer. fruit and vegetables
Check. Peas are in the fruit and vegetables group. ✓
Method. Think about which group has beans and pulses in it.
- Find lentils. Lentils are a pulse, which is a protein food.protein foods
- Write the answer. protein foods
Check. Lentils are pulses, so they are protein foods. ✓
Method. Think about the group of foods that give energy.
- Find rice. Rice is a starchy food.starchy foods
- Write the answer. starchy foods
Check. Rice is a starchy food. ✓
Method. Look at the picture of each group.
- Find the bottle. The bottle is in the last picture, which is oils and spreads.bottle
- Name the group. So the group is oils and spreads.oils and spreads
- Write the answer. oils and spreads
Check. Oil comes in a bottle. ✓
Method. Check the group for eggs in the table.
- Check the table. Eggs are in the group called beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.protein foods
- Decide. So Sam is not right. Eggs are protein foods.not dairy
- Write the answer. No. Eggs are protein foods.
Check. Where a food comes from is not the same as its food group. ✓
Method. Think about how you would decide which group each food belongs in.
- Think about each food. You look at each food and what it is made from.look at each food
- Give the method. Then you put it in the group that has similar foods, or in the high fat, sugar or salt group if it is not in a group.similar foods
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says you check each food and put it with the group that has similar foods.
Check. Sorting depends on what each food is like. ✓
What food does for the body
Food does important jobs for the body. A nutrient is a part of food that the body uses to live, grow and stay healthy. Each nutrient has its own job.
| Nutrient | What it does for the body | Found in |
|---|---|---|
| carbohydrates | give the body energy to move, play and think | bread, pasta, rice and potatoes |
| protein | helps the body to grow and repair itself | meat, fish, eggs and beans |
| fats | give energy and help to keep the body warm; only small amounts are needed | oils and butter |
| vitamins and minerals | keep the body healthy; calcium, for example, helps to make bones strong | fruit and vegetables, and milk |
| water | keeps the body working; we need to drink some every day | water and other drinks |
A food can give more than one nutrient. For example, milk gives the body protein and calcium.
Key ideas
- A nutrient is a part of food that the body uses to live, grow and stay healthy.
- Carbohydrates give the body energy to move, play and think.
- Protein helps the body to grow and repair itself.
- Fats give energy and help to keep the body warm, but we need only small amounts.
- Vitamins and minerals keep the body healthy. Calcium helps to make bones strong.
- Water keeps the body working, so we need to drink some every day.
Method. Look for the nutrient that keeps the body warm.
- Read the table. Fats give energy and help to keep the body warm, and they are found in oils and butter.fats
- Name the nutrient. So the nutrient is fats.fats
- Write the answer. fats
Check. Oils contain fats, which the body uses for energy. ✓
Watch out. Fats are needed, but only in small amounts.
Method. Read what calcium does.
- Read the table. Calcium is a mineral in milk that helps to make bones strong.bones
- Name the part. The part of the body is the bones.bones
- Write the answer. bones
Check. Calcium helps to make bones strong. ✓
Method. Find the nutrient whose job is to grow and repair.
- Read the table. Protein helps the body to grow and repair itself.grow and repair
- Name the nutrient. So the nutrient is protein.protein
- Write the answer. protein
Check. Protein is found in meat, fish, eggs and beans. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: one food can give more than one nutrient. Milk gives protein and calcium, so do not think a food gives only one job.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at the label on a packet of food from home, or on a picture of a food. Find the words protein, carbohydrate or fat, if they are written there. Do not taste any food that is not safe to eat. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which food gives you energy to run? Which food helps your muscles to grow strong?” Let your child match each job to a food.
Exercise 5C What food does for the body
Method. Read the table about carbohydrates.
- Read the table. Carbohydrates give the body energy to move, play and think.energy
- Write the answer. energy
Check. Carbohydrates are found in bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. ✓
Method. Read the table about protein.
- Read the table. Protein helps the body to grow and repair itself.grow and repair
- Write the answer. grow and repair
Check. Protein is found in meat, fish, eggs and beans. ✓
Method. Think about which group has bread, rice and pasta in it.
- Find carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are found in bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.starchy foods
- Write the answer. starchy foods
Check. Starchy foods include bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. ✓
Method. Read the table about vitamins and minerals.
- Read the sentence. Vitamins and minerals keep the body healthy.minerals
- Write the answer. minerals
Check. Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts. ✓
Method. Think about what calcium does.
- Read the sentence. Calcium helps to make bones strong.bones
- Write the answer. bones
Check. Calcium is found in milk. ✓
Method. Think about what kind of food an orange is.
- Find oranges. An orange is a fruit, so it is in the fruit and vegetables group.fruit and vegetables
- Write the answer. fruit and vegetables
Check. Oranges are a fruit and give vitamin C. ✓
Method. Read the table about calcium.
- Find calcium. Calcium is found in milk, and it helps to make bones strong.milk
- Write the answer. milk
Check. Milk is a dairy food that gives calcium. ✓
Method. Match each food to the nutrient it gives.
- Pasta. Pasta gives carbohydrates.carbohydrates
- Beans and apple. Beans give protein, and an apple gives vitamins and minerals.protein; vitamins and minerals
- Write the answer. Accept any two of: carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Check. The meal gives more than one nutrient. ✓
Method. Look at the blue marker and the words beside it.
- Find the blue marker. The blue marker is beside calcium.blue marker
- Read the words. The words beside it say calcium helps to make bones strong.bones
- Write the answer. helps to make bones strong
Check. Calcium is one of the nutrients in milk. ✓
Method. Think about what a fizzy drink gives the body.
- Think about the sugar. A fizzy drink is high in sugar, and it is not a food group.high in sugar
- Think about vitamins. It gives very few vitamins and minerals, so it is not a healthy choice on its own.very few
- Write the answer. No. Accept any reason that says a fizzy drink is high in sugar and gives very few vitamins and minerals.
Check. Foods high in sugar are eaten only sometimes. ✓
Method. Think about the nutrients that pasta gives.
- Think about pasta. Pasta gives carbohydrates for energy.carbohydrates
- Give the reason. But the body also needs protein, vitamins and minerals from other foods.other foods
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says pasta gives carbohydrates, but the body needs other nutrients from other foods.
Check. A mix of foods gives all the nutrients the body needs. ✓
Method. Think about what fats give the body.
- Think about energy. Fats give the body energy, and a small amount is enough.a small amount
- Give the reason. Eating too much fat is not healthy, so we use only a little.not healthy
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says fats give a lot of energy, so eating too much is not healthy.
Check. Fats are a useful nutrient, but only in small amounts. ✓
A balanced diet
A balanced diet means eating the right types of food, from each food group, in the right amounts. No single food gives the body every nutrient it needs. So we eat a mix of foods, every day.
A simple guide to a balanced diet:
- eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day;
- have starchy foods, such as bread, rice, pasta or potatoes, at most meals;
- have some protein foods, such as beans, fish, eggs or meat;
- have some dairy foods, or dairy alternatives;
- use only a small amount of oils and spreads;
- have foods high in fat, sugar or salt only sometimes, and in small amounts;
- drink plenty of water.
The plate picture shows the five food groups. The bigger the piece, the more of that food group we should eat.
Key ideas
- A balanced diet means the right types and amounts of food from each food group.
- Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
- Eat only a small amount of oils and spreads.
- Foods high in fat, sugar or salt are eaten only sometimes.
- Drink plenty of water every day.
Method. Name the food group for each food.
- Read the apple. An apple is in fruit and vegetables.fruit and vegetables
- Read the sandwich. Bread is a starchy food, and cheese is a dairy food.starchy and dairy
- Count the groups. So the lunch has three food groups. Water is a drink, not a food group.three groups
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Fruit and vegetables, starchy foods and dairy foods make three groups. ✓
Watch out. Water is a drink and is not one of the five food groups.
Method. Check which food groups the plate has.
- Check the chips. Chips are a starchy food.starchy
- Check the cake. A cake is high in fat and sugar, so it is not in a food group.high in fat, sugar
- Check for the other groups. There is no fruit and vegetables, no protein foods and no dairy foods.missing groups
- Write the answer. no
Check. A balanced meal has foods from several groups. ✓
Method. Look at the sizes of the pieces on the plate.
- Find the two pieces. Dairy foods is piece 4, and oils and spreads is piece 5.pieces 4 and 5
- Compare the sizes. Piece 5 is the smallest piece on the plate.piece 5 smallest
- Write the answer. oils and spreads
Check. Oils and spreads are eaten in small amounts. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a balanced diet does not mean the same food at every meal. It means a mix of food groups across the day.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, plan one balanced day of meals on paper. Tick each food group you have used. Look for all five groups, or say which one is missing. Wash your hands before you touch food.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which food groups are in this meal? Which group is missing?” Let your child tick the groups on their plan.
Exercise 5D A balanced diet
Method. Think about the healthy number of portions.
- Read the advice. We should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.at least five
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Five portions a day is the healthy minimum. ✓
Method. Read the definition of a balanced diet.
- Read the sentence. A balanced diet is the right types and amounts of food from each food group.food group
- Write the answer. food group
Check. Each food group gives some of the nutrients the body needs. ✓
Method. Think about what a balanced diet means.
- Read the watch-out box. A balanced diet is a mix of food groups across the day, not the same food.a mix
- Write the answer. false
Check. A balanced diet is a mix of foods. ✓
Method. Think about what a balanced diet includes.
- Read the guide. A simple guide to a balanced diet says to drink plenty of water.drink water
- Write the answer. true
Check. Water keeps the body working. ✓
Method. Count the food groups in each meal.
- Check crisps and a cake. Crisps and a cake are high in fat, sugar or salt, and they are not in a food group.no groups
- Check rice, beans and an apple. Rice is starchy, beans are protein, and an apple is fruit.three groups
- Write the answer. rice, beans and an apple
Check. Rice, beans and an apple are from three food groups. ✓
Method. Name the group for each food.
- Name the groups. A pear is fruit, a yoghurt is dairy, and a bread roll is starchy.three groups
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Fruit and vegetables, dairy foods and starchy foods make three groups. ✓
The numbers on the plate are: 1 fruit and vegetables, 2 starchy foods, 3 protein foods, 4 dairy foods, 5 oils and spreads.
Method. Find dairy foods in the list of numbers.
- Read the list. The numbers are: 1 fruit and vegetables, 2 starchy foods, 3 protein foods, 4 dairy foods, 5 oils and spreads.4 dairy foods
- Find the piece. So dairy foods is piece 4.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Piece 4 is dairy foods. ✓
The numbers on the plate are: 1 fruit and vegetables, 2 starchy foods, 3 protein foods, 4 dairy foods, 5 oils and spreads.
Method. Look at the sizes of the pieces.
- Compare the pieces. Piece 1 is the biggest piece on the plate.piece 1 biggest
- Name the number. Piece 1 is fruit and vegetables.1
- Write the answer. 1
Check. The biggest piece is fruit and vegetables. ✓
Method. Match each food to its group.
- Pasta and beans. Pasta is starchy, and beans are protein foods.starchy; protein
- Tomato and milk. A tomato is in fruit and vegetables, and milk is a dairy food.fruit and vegetables; dairy
- Write the answer. Accept any two of: starchy foods, fruit and vegetables, protein foods, dairy foods.
Check. Ali's meal has four food groups. ✓
Method. Choose one food from each of three groups.
- Choose three groups. Pick three different groups, such as fruit and vegetables, starchy foods and dairy foods.three groups
- Name the foods. Choose one food from each group, for example an apple, a bread roll and a yoghurt.three foods
- Write the answer. Accept any lunch with foods from three different food groups.
Check. A lunch with three groups is more balanced. ✓
Method. Think about the nutrients that other food groups give.
- Think about protein. Protein foods give protein, which fruit and vegetables do not give.protein
- Give the reason. So a balanced diet needs foods from several food groups, not only one.several groups
- Write the answer. No. Accept any reason that says the other food groups give nutrients that fruit and vegetables do not give enough of, such as protein.
Check. A balanced diet needs every food group in the right amounts. ✓
Other animals and what they eat
Animals, including humans, all need nutrition. But they do not all eat the same food. Each animal eats the food that gives it the nutrition it needs.
| Animal | What it eats | Name for what it eats |
|---|---|---|
| rabbit | grass, hay and leafy greens | herbivore |
| cow | grass and hay | herbivore |
| cat | meat and fish | carnivore |
Scientists have names for animals, based on what they eat:
- a herbivore eats only plants;
- a carnivore eats only meat or fish;
- an omnivore eats both plants and food from animals.
Humans are omnivores. We eat plants, and we also eat foods from animals, such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods.
Key ideas
- Animals eat different food, and each one gets the nutrition it needs from its own food.
- A herbivore eats only plants.
- A carnivore eats only meat or fish.
- An omnivore eats both plants and food from animals.
- Humans are omnivores.
Method. Find the cow in the table.
- Read the table. The table says a cow eats grass and hay.grass and hay
- Name the food. The cow mainly eats grass.grass
- Write the answer. grass
Check. A cow is a herbivore. ✓
Method. Read what each animal eats in the table.
- Read the rabbit. A rabbit eats grass, hay and leafy greens, so it eats plants.rabbit: plants
- Read the cat. A cat eats meat and fish.cat: meat and fish
- Write the answer. cat
Check. The cat is a carnivore. ✓
Method. Compare the food in the table.
- Read the rabbit. A rabbit eats plants.plants
- Read the cat. A cat eats meat and fish, which are not plants.meat and fish
- Write the answer. no
Check. Different animals eat different food. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a cat is not a herbivore. A cat needs meat or fish, so giving it only plants would not give it the nutrition it needs.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at a pet’s food packet, or a picture of an animal from a book. Read what it eats. Do not feed any animal without asking a grown-up first. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “What does a cow eat? What does a cat eat? Are they the same?” Let your child say the words herbivore, carnivore and omnivore.
Exercise 5E Other animals and what they eat
Method. Look at the cow in the table.
- Read the table. The table says a cow eats grass and hay.grass
- Write the answer. grass
Check. Cows eat plants. ✓
Method. Look at the cat in the table.
- Read the table. The table says a cat eats meat and fish.meat or fish
- Write the answer. meat or fish
Check. A cat needs meat or fish to get the nutrition it needs. ✓
Method. Check which animal eats plants.
- Read the table. The cow eats grass and hay, which are plants. The cat eats meat and fish.cow
- Write the answer. cow
Check. The cow is a herbivore. ✓
Method. Read the names in the chapter.
- Find the name. An animal that eats only plants is a herbivore.herbivore
- Write the answer. herbivore
Check. A cow and a rabbit are herbivores. ✓
Method. Read the names in the chapter.
- Find the name. An animal that eats only meat or fish is a carnivore.carnivore
- Write the answer. carnivore
Check. A cat is a carnivore. ✓
Method. Read the names in the chapter.
- Find the name. An animal that eats both plants and food from animals is an omnivore.omnivore
- Write the answer. omnivore
Check. Humans are omnivores. ✓
Method. Think about the name for an animal that eats only plants.
- Read the sentence. A cow eats only plants, so it is a herbivore.herbivore
- Write the answer. herbivore
Check. A cow is a herbivore. ✓
Method. Think about the name for an animal that eats only meat or fish.
- Read the sentence. A cat eats only meat or fish, so it is a carnivore.carnivore
- Write the answer. carnivore
Check. A cat is a carnivore. ✓
Method. Read the label beside the leafy greens.
- Find the greens. The leafy greens are beside the rabbit.beside the rabbit
- Name the animal. So the rabbit eats leafy greens.rabbit
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. Rabbits eat plants such as grass and leafy greens. ✓
Method. Find the fish in the picture.
- Find the fish. The fish is beside the cat.beside the cat
- Name the animal. So the cat has a fish beside it.cat
- Write the answer. cat
Check. A cat is a carnivore. ✓
| Animal | What it eats | Name for what it eats |
|---|---|---|
| rabbit | grass, hay and leafy greens | herbivore |
| cow | grass and hay | herbivore |
| cat | meat and fish | carnivore |
Method. Look at the column called what it eats.
- Read the table. The rabbit eats grass, hay and leafy greens. The cow eats grass and hay. Both eat plants.rabbit and cow
- Check the cat. The cat eats meat and fish, so it is not one of the two.not the cat
- Write the answer. rabbit and cow
Check. Only the cat eats meat and fish. ✓
Method. Think about what a cat eats.
- Think about the cat. A cat is a carnivore, and it eats meat or fish.carnivore
- Give the reason. So carrots alone would not give it the nutrition it needs.not enough
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says a cat needs meat or fish to get the nutrition it needs, not only plants.
Check. Different animals need different food. ✓
Surveying our food
A survey counts things to find out what is true for a group. Scientists record their results in a table, and then show them on a bar chart.
The class counted each item once, in the column for its food group. Foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt are counted in their own column, because they are not in a food group.
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Key ideas
- A survey counts each item once, in the group where it belongs.
- A table records the counts, and a bar chart shows them.
- Add up each column to check the totals.
- A survey of five lunchboxes shows only what was in those boxes.
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Find Priya in the table.
- Read the row. Priya's row says 3 in the fruit and vegetables column.row: 3
- Name the number. So there were 3 fruit and vegetables items.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Priya had 3 fruit and vegetables items. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Find the biggest total in the All five row.
- Read the totals. The totals are 9, 6, 5, 3 and 2, and 4 for high in fat, sugar or salt.9, 6, 5, 3, 2, 4
- Choose the biggest. 9 is the biggest total, and it is for fruit and vegetables.9 is biggest
- Write the answer. fruit and vegetables
Check. Fruit and vegetables had 9 items in all. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Take the smaller total away from the bigger total.
- Read the two totals. Starchy foods had 6 items, and dairy foods had 3 items.6 and 3
- Subtract. The difference is how many more starchy food items there were.6 − 3 = 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. 3 + 3 = 6, so the answer is right. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a survey tells you about the things you counted. Five lunchboxes do not show what every child eats.
Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at one lunchbox or snack box from home. Put each food into a group, and count the items in a tally chart. Only look at foods you already eat. Wash your hands before and after.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which group had the most items? Is there a group with none?” Let your child count each group, and check the total at the end.
Exercise 5F Surveying our food
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Find Ruby's row in the table.
- Read the row. Ruby's row says 2 in the fruit and vegetables column.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Ruby had 2 fruit and vegetables items. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Look at the dairy foods column for a zero.
- Find the zeros. Ali and Ruby have a 0 in the dairy foods column.Ali and Ruby
- Count them. So two lunchboxes had no dairy foods.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Ali and Ruby had no dairy foods. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Read the All five row.
- Read the total. The All five row says 5 in the protein foods column.5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. 5 protein food items in all. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Add the six column totals together.
- Read the totals. The totals are 9, 6, 5, 3, 2 and 4.9, 6, 5, 3, 2, 4
- Add them. The total is all the items in the five boxes.9 + 6 + 5 + 3 + 2 + 4 = 29
- Write the answer. 29
Check. The Total items column adds to the same number. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Find the biggest number in the fruit and vegetables column.
- Read the column. The numbers are 2, 3, 1, 2 and 1.3 is biggest
- Name the child. The 3 is in Priya's row, so Priya had the most.Priya
- Write the answer. Priya
Check. Priya had 3 fruit and vegetables items. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Find the smallest total in the All five row, for the five food groups.
- Read the totals. The food group totals are 9, 6, 5, 3 and 2.2 is smallest
- Name the group. The smallest total, 2, is for oils and spreads.oils and spreads
- Write the answer. oils and spreads
Check. Oils and spreads had 2 items. ✓
Method. Find the dairy foods bar, and read its height.
- Find the bar. The dairy foods bar is the fourth bar.fourth bar
- Read the number. The label on the dairy foods bar says 3.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. The dairy foods column in the table also says 3. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Take the protein total away from the fruit and vegetables total.
- Read the two totals. Fruit and vegetables had 9 items, and protein foods had 5.9 and 5
- Subtract. The difference is how many more fruit and vegetables items there were.9 − 5 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. 5 + 4 = 9, so the answer is right. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Check the starchy foods column for a zero.
- Read the column. The starchy foods numbers are 1, 1, 2, 1 and 1.no zeros
- Decide. There is no zero, so every box had at least one starchy food. Ali is right.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Each starchy foods number is 1 or more. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Add the Total items column, or the six column totals.
- Add the box totals. The box totals are 6, 6, 6, 5 and 6.6, 6, 6, 5, 6
- Add them together. The total is 29 items, not 25.6 + 6 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 29
- Write the answer. No. The total is 29.
Check. 29 is the total of the five boxes. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Think about how many lunchboxes were counted, and what they show.
- Think about the survey. Only five lunchboxes were counted.five boxes
- Give the reason. A survey of five boxes only shows what was in those boxes, not what every child needs.only these boxes
- Write the answer. No. Accept any reason that says five lunchboxes is a small survey, and it only shows what was in these boxes.
Check. A conclusion must match what was counted. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Nutrition | The food and drink that a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy. |
| Plants and animals | Plants make their own food using light. Animals cannot, so they must eat to get nutrition. |
| Five food groups | Fruit and vegetables; starchy foods; protein foods; dairy foods; oils and spreads. |
| Other foods | Foods high in fat, sugar or salt are not in a food group, and we eat them only sometimes. |
| What food does | Carbohydrates give energy; protein helps growth and repair; fats give energy and warmth; vitamins and minerals keep us healthy; water keeps the body working. |
| Balanced diet | The right types and amounts of food from each food group, with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. |
| Other animals | A herbivore eats only plants; a carnivore eats only meat or fish; an omnivore eats both. |
| Surveys | Count each item once, record the counts in a table, and show them in a bar chart. |
Can you…?
- I can say what nutrition is, and why animals cannot make their own food like plants
- I can sort foods into the five food groups
- I can say what carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, and water do for the body
- I can explain what a balanced diet is, and choose a balanced meal
- I can compare what different animals eat, and use the words herbivore, carnivore and omnivore
- I can count items in a survey, and read a table and a bar chart
Key terms
- nutrition
- the food and drink that a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy
- nutrients
- the parts of food that the body uses, such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals
- food group
- a group of foods that have similar nutrients and do similar jobs in the body
- balanced diet
- the right types and amounts of food from each food group
- carbohydrates
- nutrients that give the body energy, found in bread, pasta, rice and potatoes
- protein
- a nutrient that helps the body to grow and repair itself, found in meat, fish, eggs and beans
- fats
- nutrients that give energy and help to keep the body warm; we need only small amounts
- vitamins and minerals
- nutrients needed in small amounts to keep the body healthy
- calcium
- a mineral, found in milk, that helps to make bones strong
- survey
- counting things to find out what is true for a group
- herbivore
- an animal that eats only plants
- carnivore
- an animal that eats only meat or fish
- omnivore
- an animal that eats both plants and food from animals
Exercise 5Z Check-up
Method. Think about the word for the food and drink a living thing needs.
- Read the definition. The word for this is nutrition.nutrition
- Write the answer. nutrition
Check. Nutrition keeps a living thing alive and healthy. ✓
Method. Compare an animal with a plant.
- Read the chapter. Plants make food using light, but animals must eat their food.must eat
- Write the answer. no
Check. Animals get nutrition by eating. ✓
Method. Think about what kind of food a carrot is.
- Find carrots. A carrot is a vegetable, in the fruit and vegetables group.fruit and vegetables
- Write the answer. fruit and vegetables
Check. Carrots are in the fruit and vegetables group. ✓
Method. Think about the group that has beans, pulses, fish and eggs in it.
- Find beans and lentils. Beans and lentils are pulses, which are protein foods.protein foods
- Write the answer. protein foods
Check. Beans and lentils are protein foods. ✓
Method. Read the table about nutrients.
- Find pasta. Pasta is found in the carbohydrates row, which gives energy.carbohydrates
- Write the answer. carbohydrates
Check. Carbohydrates give the body energy. ✓
Method. Choose one food from each of three groups.
- Choose three groups. Pick three different food groups.three groups
- Name the foods. Choose one food from each group.three foods
- Write the answer. Accept any three foods from three different food groups.
Check. A balanced lunch has foods from more than one group. ✓
Method. Look at the sizes of the pieces on a balanced plate.
- Compare the pieces. Dairy foods is a smaller piece than starchy foods.dairy is smaller
- Name the group. So dairy foods should be the smaller piece.dairy foods
- Write the answer. dairy foods
Check. Starchy foods are one of the biggest pieces. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Read the All five row, in the dairy foods column.
- Read the total. The All five row says 3 in the dairy foods column.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Noah, Priya and Mo had one dairy food each, which makes 3. ✓
Method. Think about where crisps and cakes belong.
- Think about the groups. Crisps and cakes are not in any of the five food groups.not in a group
- Give the reason. They are high in fat, sugar or salt, so we eat them only sometimes.only sometimes
- Write the answer. No. Accept any reason that says crisps and cakes are high in fat, sugar or salt, and are eaten only sometimes.
Check. Foods high in fat, sugar or salt are eaten only sometimes. ✓
Method. Read what each animal eats.
- Read the rabbit. A rabbit eats grass, hay and leafy greens, which are plants.rabbit
- Read the cat. A cat eats meat and fish, so it is not a herbivore.not the cat
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. The rabbit is a herbivore. ✓
Total 18 marks. Allow about 18 minutes.
Exercise 5X Practice test questions
Method. Think about which group bread belongs to.
- Find bread. Bread is a starchy food.starchy foods
- Write the answer. starchy foods
Check. Bread is a starchy food. ✓
Method. Read what milk gives the body.
- Find the mineral. Milk gives the body calcium, which helps to make bones strong.calcium
- Write the answer. calcium
Check. Calcium helps to make bones strong. ✓
Method. Find the fish in the pictures.
- Find the fish. The fish is in the picture of beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.protein foods
- Write the answer. protein foods
Check. Fish is a protein food. ✓
Method. Think about the definition of nutrition.
- Read the definition. Nutrition is the food and drink a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy.food and drink
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says nutrition is the food and drink a living thing needs to stay alive, grow and stay healthy.
Check. Animals, including humans, need nutrition every day. ✓
Method. Read the jobs of the two nutrients.
- Find the job of protein. Protein helps the body to grow and repair itself.grow and repair
- Find the job of calcium. Calcium helps to make bones strong.bones strong
- Write the answer. Accept: protein helps the body to grow and repair; calcium helps to make bones strong.
Check. Milk gives more than one nutrient. ✓
Method. Look at the sizes of the pieces.
- Compare the pieces. Piece 5 is the smallest piece on the plate.piece 5 smallest
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Piece 5 is oils and spreads, which are eaten in small amounts. ✓
Method. Name the group for each food.
- Read the sandwich. Bread is a starchy food, and cheese is a dairy food.starchy foods; dairy foods
- Read the apple. An apple is in fruit and vegetables. Water is a drink, not a food group.fruit and vegetables
- Write the answer. starchy foods, dairy foods and fruit and vegetables
Check. The lunch has three food groups. ✓
Method. Choose one food from each of three groups, then give a reason.
- Choose three groups. Pick three different food groups.three groups
- Name the foods. Choose one food from each group, for example an apple, a bread roll and a glass of milk.three foods
- Give the reason. The lunch is balanced, because each food gives the body different nutrients.different nutrients
- Write the answer. Accept any lunch with foods from three different food groups, with a reason such as: each food gives different nutrients.
Check. A balanced meal has a mix of food groups. ✓
| Child | Fruit and vegetables | Starchy foods | Protein foods | Dairy foods | Oils and spreads | High in fat, sugar or salt | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Priya | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ali | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Ruby | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Mo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| All five | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 29 |
Method. Take the oils and spreads total away from the starchy foods total.
- Read the two totals. Starchy foods had 6 items, and oils and spreads had 2 items.6 and 2
- Subtract. The difference is how many more starchy food items there were.6 − 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. 2 + 4 = 6, so the answer is right. ✓
Method. Think about the nutrients that other food groups give.
- Reason one. Protein foods give protein, which helps the body to grow and repair.protein
- Reason two. Starchy foods give carbohydrates for energy, and dairy foods give calcium.energy and calcium
- Decide. So a child needs foods from several food groups, not only fruit and vegetables.several groups
- Write the answer. No. Accept any two reasons, such as: protein foods and dairy foods give nutrients that fruit and vegetables do not; starchy foods give carbohydrates for energy.
Check. A balanced diet needs every food group in the right amounts. ✓