Unit 12 Child Care Level 3
E1: Describe the main food groups that are essential to meet the basic needs of the body.
Food group
Nutrients provided
Examples of foods
Why are these essential for health and wellbeing?
Bread, other cereals and potatoes
Carbohydrates, Some calcium and iron, B vitamins and dietary fibre.
Pasta, rice, wheat, corn, bread and potatoes.
Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy and are broken down inside the body and turned into sugar that is released slowly.-Dietary fibre is also found in this food group and used to keep regulation of the bowels and isn't actually absorbed into the bodies. Instead it passes through the gastrointestinal tract and excreted. This makes sure the bowels and intestines are kept healthy.
‘Carbohydrates are the body's most important and readily available source of energy.’- kidshealth.org
Calcium is essential for helping to keep bones and teeth strong and healthy.
Meat, fish and alternatives
Iron, protein, B vitamins (especially vitamin b 12), zinc and magnesium
Pork, Tofu, beef, chicken, quorn and cod.
Meat, fish and alternatives contain iron which is needed for the formation of blood and is part of many enzymes in the body.
It also contains protein which is essential to grow and build muscle. It is also essential for repairing and healing and repelling illnesses and fighting infections. Everything from our hair, muscles, nerves,S skin and nails needs protein to build and repair itself. Zinc is needed for the growth of tissues, immune function and wound healing.
Magnesium is needed for the bone development and more muscle functions. Vitamin B12 is Part of coenzymes used in new cell synthesis; helps to maintain nerve cells.
We also get omega 3 from fish which helps maintain a healthy heart.
‘One of the most important nutrients found in oil-rich fish is omega-3 fats. These special fats cannot be made in the body so it is important that we get them from the food we eat.’- bordbia.ie/aboutfood/nutrition
Fruit and
Food group
Nutrients provided
Examples of foods
Why are these essential for health and wellbeing?
Bread, other cereals and potatoes
Carbohydrates, Some calcium and iron, B vitamins and dietary fibre.
Pasta, rice, wheat, corn, bread and potatoes.
Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy and are broken down inside the body and turned into sugar that is released slowly.-Dietary fibre is also found in this food group and used to keep regulation of the bowels and isn't actually absorbed into the bodies. Instead it passes through the gastrointestinal tract and excreted. This makes sure the bowels and intestines are kept healthy.
‘Carbohydrates are the body's most important and readily available source of energy.’- kidshealth.org
Calcium is essential for helping to keep bones and teeth strong and healthy.
Meat, fish and alternatives
Iron, protein, B vitamins (especially vitamin b 12), zinc and magnesium
Pork, Tofu, beef, chicken, quorn and cod.
Meat, fish and alternatives contain iron which is needed for the formation of blood and is part of many enzymes in the body.
It also contains protein which is essential to grow and build muscle. It is also essential for repairing and healing and repelling illnesses and fighting infections. Everything from our hair, muscles, nerves,S skin and nails needs protein to build and repair itself. Zinc is needed for the growth of tissues, immune function and wound healing.
Magnesium is needed for the bone development and more muscle functions. Vitamin B12 is Part of coenzymes used in new cell synthesis; helps to maintain nerve cells.
We also get omega 3 from fish which helps maintain a healthy heart.
‘One of the most important nutrients found in oil-rich fish is omega-3 fats. These special fats cannot be made in the body so it is important that we get them from the food we eat.’- bordbia.ie/aboutfood/nutrition
Fruit and