Matter and Energy: What foods to eat for a healthy body By Encyclopaedia Britannica, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.03.17 Word Count 585 Level 560L Fruit and vegetables at a farmers market in Dallas, Texas. These foods are a good source of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Photo by: Travis Isaacs Plants do not need to eat. They make their own food with help from the sun. Animals, including people, are different. They need to eat so their bodies can live and grow. Humans have many choices about what to eat. They can eat plants or other animals. Some choices are healthier than others. Food gives the body energy. Say you are tired from running around and playing. You can eat something healthy for an energy boost. The amount of energy a food can give you is measured in calories. They are like invisible bits of energy. It is important to eat the right number of calories. If you eat too many, the extra calories turn into fat. If you do not eat enough, you will lose too much weight. Every person needs a different number of calories. It depends on how active you are. It also depends on the size of your body. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1
You Can't See Nutrients, But You Can't Live Without Them! Food provides nutrients. They help the body do its job. You cannot see nutrients, but you cannot live without them. There are six main kinds of nutrients. They are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. Each nutrient helps the body in a different way. Proteins help the body grow. They also help the body heal itself when you get hurt. People can get protein by eating animals like meat and fish. Or, they can get it from plants like beans and nuts. Most of the energy you get from food comes from carbohydrates. Starches, like rice and wheat, are carbohydrates. So are the sugars found in fruits, milk and honey. These are natural sugars. Another kind of sugar is called refined sugar. This type is not healthy. It is found in soft drinks and fruit juice. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2
Minerals Have Lots Of Jobs Minerals have several jobs. Calcium is one important mineral. It builds bones and teeth. This mineral is found in dairy products and green leafy vegetables. A few other important minerals are iron, sodium and zinc. The body also needs vitamins. Vitamin C is one. It keeps your gums healthy. It is found in oranges and other foods. Vitamin D works with minerals to give you strong bones and teeth. Lastly, water is very important to the body. Every cell in the body must be surrounded by water. It helps the body get rid of waste. It also helps the body stay at a safe temperature. Believe it or not, water makes up more than half of our bodies! It is important to eat well. To eat healthily, you just need to follow a few simple rules. Scientists say you should eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Eat smaller amounts of grains, protein and dairy, and even smaller amounts of fat. Stay away from sweets and salty snacks. These foods are high in calories, but they do not have many nutrients. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4
Quiz 1 Which sentence BEST states the MAIN idea of the entire article? Scientists have invented rules for how to eat healthily. Vitamin C and Vitamin D are the most important minerals to eat. Your body needs help from nutrients, minerals and water to be healthy. Humans can't produce food so they eat food to receive calories. 2 What is the MAIN idea of the introduction [paragraphs 1-4]? The foods humans choose to eat are important because they provide energy. Calories can be dangerous because if you eat too many, you will gain weight. Plants are different than humans because plants make their own food. Everyone must eat a different amount of calories depending on their size. 3 Read the section "You Can't See Nutrients, But You Can't Live Without Them!" What's the MAIN reason why humans need protein? Proteins contain carbohydrates. Proteins are a type of nutrient. Proteins help develop the body. Proteins come from eating meat. 4 Which detail from the section "Minerals Have Lots Of Jobs" describes how water helps your body? It builds bones and teeth. It keeps your gums healthy. It helps the body get rid of waste. It is important to eat well. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5