Healthy habits: a balanced diet
A habit is something you do regularly. Healthy habits are the things we do to stop illness and keep our bodies in good condition. One of the most important is eating a balanced diet: food from all the different food groups, so we get all the nutrients our body needs.
What does each nutrient do?
keep our bodies healthy in many different ways
in: fruit and vegetables
give us the energy to move and even to breathe
in: bread, pasta, rice, potatoes
build our muscles
in: meat, fish, eggs, beans
helps the blood transport oxygen
in: red meat, lentils, spinach
makes strong bones and teeth (your smile!)
in: milk, cheese, yoghurt
help the brain and the nerves, but we only need a little every day
in: olive oil, nuts, fish
Blood sugar and diabetes
When we digest food, the body turns some of it into glucose, also called blood sugar. The blood carries it to the cells to give them energy (remember the circulatory system from Unit 1!). Diabetes is an illness that changes how the body uses its blood sugar. Some people control it with their diet; others need a medicine called insulin.
Look at your lunch today. Can you find a carbohydrate, a protein and some fruit or vegetables? If you can, it is a balanced meal!
