FUEL FOR YOUR BODY

Your body is like wonderful machine. Your body runs on the fuel it gets from what you eat. If it doesn't get the right kind of fuel then it doesn't work very well. What fuel does your body need? Protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Your body needs all of these, but what are they and what foods have them?

Protein: It is a very important nutrient because it builds up your muscles and organs. It helps repair and replace them too, so that your body can keep on working. Some foods that contain a high amount of protein include meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, dairy products and legumes.

Carbohydrates: They give energy to all the cells in your body. They are in bread, cereals, pasta and veggies like corn, potatoes and carrots. They give you energy more slowly than other foods so the effects last longer. Carbohydrates also have lots of vitamins and minerals, which your body needs.

Fat: It acts as the body's reserve tank of energy and protects our organs, like a cushion, and helps our bodies stay warm in cold weather.There is fat in lots of good foods such as meat, eggs and cheese, but sometimes there is too much in fast foods, chips, biscuits and in many snack foods. So you must be careful about fats. Choose low fat milk, yoghurt, cheese, etc., trim fat off meat before cooking/eating. Avoid fried food and pastries as well as chicken skin.

Water: Your body needs water to work well too. The water in blood carries food to all parts of your body. Water is in the fluids that keep your joints moving smoothly (like knees and elbows) so that your bones don't creak.