Answer the following questions in brief: 1. What are nutrients? Name the main nutrients. 2. Why are proteins important? 3. State three functions of water in the body. 4. Classify the given food items.

Here are the solutions to the questions:

E. Answer the following questions in brief:

1. Nutrients are substances present in food that are essential for growth, energy, and maintaining life processes. The main nutrients found in our food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.

2. Proteins are important to us because they are the building blocks of the body. They are essential for the growth and repair of body tissues, and for making enzymes and hormones.

3. Three functions of water in the body are:

   • It helps in the transportation of nutrients and waste products throughout the body.
   • It helps to regulate body temperature.
   • It aids in the excretion of waste materials from the body through urine and sweat.

4. Here is the classification of the food items:

   Carbohydrate-rich food item	Protein-rich food item	Fat-rich food item
   sweet potato	Moong dal	butter
   rice	beans	mustard oil
   maize	milk	ghee
   white bread	cottage cheese
   	peas
   	buttermilk

F. What do you mean by dehydration?
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to a shortage of water and other essential fluids needed for normal body functions.

G. What is ORS? How is it made?

• ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Solution. It is a special mixture of salts and sugar dissolved in water, used to treat dehydration, especially that caused by diarrhea.
• How it is made: ORS can be made by dissolving a pre-packaged ORS powder in a specific amount of clean drinking water. A homemade version can be prepared by mixing 6 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of clean water.

H. Define a balanced diet.
A balanced diet is a diet that provides all the essential nutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water—in the correct proportions and adequate amounts required for the proper functioning, growth, and maintenance of the body.

I. How did the cooking practices changed over time?
Cooking practices have changed significantly over time. Historically, cooking was primarily done on hearths or open fires using basic methods. Over time, this evolved to the use of enclosed stoves (gas, electric), ovens, and a variety of modern kitchen appliances, allowing for more controlled temperatures, diverse cooking techniques, and improved hygiene.