Foods we eat

Food is an essential part of everyone’s life. It provides us the energy and nutrients to grow, makes us healthy and active. A teacher also plays a vital role in helping students create awareness on good food habits.

Objectives

• Discuss on foods we eat to understand food habits.
• Explore and understand about food from plants and animals
• To know the importance of healthy food and issues with junk food.
• To appreciate the cultural diversity of food from different states.

Group discussion

We had a discussion on foods we eat in our day to day life. Children shared their eating habits at home, school and outside places, like their relatives’ house. I asked them to list out the vegetables included in their regular diet.

The questions raised during the discussion, along with students’ responses are as follows:

1) Why do we eat food?

To get strength, to grow, to get energy

2) What kinds of food are necessary for our health?

Rice, vegetables, fruits

3) Why should we avoid junk food?

Bad for health

All the children were eager to answer. As I asked them to list their favourite food and the ingredients used to cook it, they did so. They said that their favourite food was delicious and yummy and that’s why they liked it. For example, students residing along the shores said that they felt satisfied only when they ate fish in their meal.

All  children willingly participated in this activity. It was surprising to see that some students exactly listed the vegetables used to prepare sambar with all the ingredients.

Food stall on cultural diversity of food habits

A food stall on traditional foods from different states of India was organized to help students recognise the cultural diversity of food habits. Parents helped in preparing food items for the display at the stall. It was nice to see all the students actively participating in the programme.

The idea was to make students see, smell and taste the food eaten by people from different states/cultures of the country. They also understood the differences in the eating habits . Parents had cooked various food items like fish curry, fish fry, biriyani, sweet boli, Pongal, poori, etc. They also came to the stall and supported to maintain the entire set-up.

We exhibited traditional food items of Kerala (Puttu, idiappam, coconut milk, chenna curry, fish curry and fry), Karnataka (sweet boli, kesari, vada, biriyani, cashew sweet), Tamil Nadu (vadai, payasam, rice, sambhar, Pongal, poori, appalam), Andhra Pradesh (rice, sambhar, dosa, laddu, idly) and Rajasthan (chapathi, dhal).

This experience made the students’ day very joyous and fun-filled, as they enjoyed with their friends, teachers and parents. All of us really admired the taste of Indian traditional foods from various states.

Different food items of different states exhibited by students

Discussion on food from plants and animals

A tray with pictures of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and animal foods were given to the students. I asked them to identify and arrange them according to food items from plants and animals. They felt excited and arranged the items in just two minutes.

This activity was satisfying to me as well, as all children were able to understand different food items coming from plants and animals, with fun. Actually, this method was very easy for me and interesting for my students.

Children arranging food items coming from plants and animals

Preference of good food

I encouraged my students to draw food items which are rich in vitamins, proteins, iron, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, etc. Initially they found it difficult to understand the concept and terms like vitamins, minerals, etc. But later I explained the concept with the help of  vegetables or fruits. For example, I showed a carrot to them and explained that it is rich in vitamin A and is good for eyes. Similiarly, I showed milk and egg to explain that these are rich in proteins and good for strength. We also discussed about the risks associated with the consumption of junk food that is poor in nutrients. Nowadays, junk food plays a major role in causing diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease etc. At the end, all my children could understand the harmful effects of junk food on health and decided not to eat packed junk food, hereafter. They said they will prefer natural food, which has a lot of nutrients that helps us to remain healthy and active.

Outcomes

• Children can clearly understand the importance of healthy food and  can also identify the foods rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals, iron, carbohydrates etc.
• Children can identify the religious, regional and cultural diversities of food eaten among different Indian states in India.
• Students can name food items with ingredients, cooked at home.
• They can identify the different kinds of food taken from plants and animals.
• Students are aware about the health risks associated with eating junk foods.

To sum up, extended activities that involve parents and  community can serve as effective tools in learning, comprehending and retention of concepts.

Let’s avoid junk food.

Eat more from Earth.