Understanding a balanced diet starts with knowing what each nutrient does — Chapter 3 breaks food down into carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and more, summarised in the table below.
Last Updated: September 23, 2026
Components of Food (Quick Table)
| Nutrient | Function | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Energy | Rice, wheat, potato, sugarcane |
| Fats | Stored energy, warmth | Ghee, oils, nuts |
| Proteins | Body-building, repair | Pulses, milk, eggs, fish |
| Vitamins/Minerals | Protective functions | Fruits, vegetables, dairy |
| Dietary fibre | Aids digestion/waste removal | Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses |
| Water | Absorption, waste removal | Drinking water |
Nutrient Tests
- Starch: Iodine solution → turns blue-black.
- Fat: Rub on paper → leaves an oily, translucent patch.
- Protein: Copper sulphate + caustic soda → turns violet.
Deficiency Diseases (Quick Table)
| Disease | Missing Nutrient |
|---|---|
| Scurvy | Vitamin C |
| Night blindness | Vitamin A |
| Goitre | Iodine |
| Rickets | Vitamin D and Calcium |
| Anaemia | Iron |
Key Ideas
- Balanced diet: right proportion of all nutrient groups together — no single food is nutritionally complete.
- Millets (jowar, bajra, ragi) = “nutri-cereals,” rich in vitamins, iron, calcium, fibre — but not a complete diet alone.
- Food miles: distance food travels from source to plate; choosing local/seasonal food reduces this.
- Food wastage: avoiding waste of edible food is part of mindful, sustainable eating.
- All starches are carbohydrates, but not all carbohydrates are starches (e.g., sugar is a carbohydrate but not a starch).
Quick revision: Solutions | Extra Questions for this chapter.
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- Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World Revision Notes
- Chapter 4: Exploring Magnets Revision Notes
- Chapter 5: Measurement of Length and Motion Revision Notes
- Chapter 6: Materials Around Us Revision Notes
- Chapter 7: Temperature and its Measurement Revision Notes
- Chapter 8: A Journey through States of Water Revision Notes
- Chapter 9: Methods of Separation – Revision Notes
- Chapter 10: Living Creatures – Revision Notes
- Chapter 11: Nature's Treasures – Revision Notes
- Chapter 12: Beyond Earth – Revision Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mindful eating mean, and how does it relate to good health?
Mindful eating means paying attention to what and how much food is consumed, including nutrient content and eating habits, which relates to good health because balanced food choices supply needed nutrients.
Why is it important to include a variety of food groups in a daily diet?
Different food groups provide different essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates for energy, proteins for growth and repair, and vitamins and minerals for regulating body functions.
Chapter Quiz — Test Your Understanding
Class 6 Science Chapter 3 – Solutions and Important Questions
Need full answers or more practice? See the Class 6 Science Chapter 3 Solutions and Class 6 Science Chapter 3 Extra Questions.
Recommended: Buy the Printed NCERT Class 6 Science Book
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