Question

A small child became thin and lean and later he became so weak that he could not move. Which nutrients should he eat so as to improve his health?

Answer 1

Hint: Nutrients are obtained from the food and are essential for the proper functioning of life. Nutrients provide us with good health, energy. There are many nutrients that must be present in our diet like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, etc.

Complete Answer:
Carbohydrates and Proteins are responsible for the weakness of the child. Due to absence of the carbohydrates and proteins the child became so weak that he could not move.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are also called the saccharides or crabs.
- Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches, and fibres that are stored in fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy products.
- Carbohydrates are one of the basic components of food that is very important for a healthy diet. They are called carbohydrates because they contain Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen.
- They provide fuel for the energy needed for daily activities like walking, eating, talking, etc.

Carbohydrates are classified into two types-
1. Simple carbohydrates – The simple carbohydrates one or two sugar molecules such as glucose, fructose, galactose, etc.
2. Complex carbohydrates – The complex carbohydrates have three or more sugar molecules such as starch, glycogen, etc.

Proteins: Proteins are the macromolecules that are made up of amino acids.
- The amino acids are bonded with peptide bonds to form the structure of protein.
- There are 20 amino acids that exist in all types of proteins.
- Amino acids can be released from the protein by hydrolysis (cleavage of covalent bond by the addition of water molecules.
- Proteins perform a variety of functions such as catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, responding to stimuli, etc.

Nutrient that child must have to eat to improve his condition:
- The child has to eat carbohydrate rich food and protein rich foods.
- Carbohydrate rich foods – grains, bread, beans, milk, popcorn, potatoes, soft drinks, cookies, starch, etc.
- Protein rich foods – Meat, Chicken, Eggs, Yoghurt, milk, cheese, fish, etc.

Note: Proteins and carbohydrates both come under the category of macronutrients. Macronutrients are those nutrients that are needed in large amounts by the body. Apart from proteins and carbohydrates, fats also come under the category of macronutrients. Fats are found in oil, butter, ghee, etc.