NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 3: Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body World (Curiosity)

Question 1. Pick the odd one out and give reasons:

(i) Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Chana
(ii) Kidney beans, Green gram, Soya bean, Rice

Answer:
(i) The odd one out is Chana, as Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi are all millets, while Chana (chickpeas) is classified as a pulse.
(ii) The odd one out is Rice. Kidney beans, green gram, and soya beans are rich protein sources, while rice primarily serves as a carbohydrate.

Question 2. Discuss traditional versus modern culinary practices in India.

Answer:
Traditional Practices:

• Cooking was primarily done on traditional stoves, known as chulhas.

• Grinding ingredients was done manually using a silbatta (stone grinder).

• There was a strong emphasis on using locally sourced fresh ingredients.

Modern Practices:

• Gas stoves and electric appliances such as grinders and mixers are commonly used today.

• Packaged and processed foods are more readily available and widely used.

• There is also an influence of global cuisines, leading to fusion cooking.

Reasons for Change:

• Technological advancements have made cooking easier.

• Time constraints and lifestyle changes have prompted quicker cooking methods.

• Improved transportation and availability of a variety of ingredients have changed food habits.

Question 3. A teacher says that good food may act as medicine. Ravi is curious about this statement and has some questions for his teacher. List at least two questions that he can ask.

Answer:

• "How does healthy food work as medicine for our body?"

• "Can you provide examples of foods that are considered beneficial for health?"

Question 4. Not all delicious foods are necessarily healthy, while not all nutritious foods are always enjoyable. Share your thoughts along with a few examples.

Answer: Tasty foods are not always healthy. For example, burgers, pizzas, and chips are enjoyable but are not nutritious. They usually contain refined flour, excess oil, and spices, which are harmful to health. On the other hand, nutritious foods like boiled vegetables, pulses, and leafy greens may not be as appetising, but they are packed with essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals that support our health and well-being.

Question 5. Medu does not eat vegetables but enjoys biscuits, noodles, and white bread. He often has stomach aches and constipation. What changes should he make in his diet to get rid of these problems? Explain your answer.

Answer: Medu should add whole grains, pulses, fresh fruits, and vegetables to his meals to relieve constipation and stomach issues. These foods are rich in dietary fibre (roughage), which is missing in his current diet. It’s also important for Medu to cut back on biscuits, noodles, and white bread, as they are made from refined flour, which lacks fibre and contributes to digestive problems.

Question 6. Reshma had trouble seeing things in dim light. The doctor tested her eyesight and prescribed a particular vitamin supplement. He also advised her to include a few food items in her diet.
(i) Which deficiency disease is ‘she’ suffering from?
(ii) Which food component may be lacking in her diet?
(iii) Suggest some food items that she should include in her diet to overcome this problem (any four).

Answer:
(i) Reshma is experiencing night blindness, which makes it difficult for her to see in low light.
(ii) This condition is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A.
(iii) To improve her condition, she should include foods like carrots, spinach, papaya, milk, and green leafy vegetables in her diet, all of which are rich in Vitamin A.

Question 7. You are provided with the following:
(i) Canned fruit juice
(ii) Fresh fruit juice
(iii) Fresh fruit

Which one would you prefer and why?

Answer: I would choose fresh fruit over both canned and fresh fruit juice because it offers a higher nutritional value, more dietary fibre, and natural flavour. Canned fruit juice often contains added sugars and preservatives, which can reduce its health benefits.

Question 8. Gourav got a fracture in his leg. His doctor aligned the bones and put on a plaster. The doctor also gave him calcium tablets.

On the second visit, the doctor gave him Vitamin D syrup along with calcium tablets.

Answer the following questions:
(i) Why did the doctor give calcium tablets to Gourav?
(ii) On the second visit, why did the doctor give Vitamin D syrup along with calcium tablets?
(iii) What question arises in your mind about the choices made by the doctor in giving the medicines?

Answer:
(i) The doctor prescribed calcium tablets to Gourav because calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and aids in the healing process after a fracture.
(ii) The doctor added Vitamin D syrup during the second visit because Vitamin D is crucial for the proper absorption of calcium in the body, ensuring effective bone repair.
(iii) A question that may arise about the doctor’s decision is: "How long should Gourav continue taking both calcium tablets and Vitamin D syrup?"

Question 9. Sugar is an example of a carbohydrate. Sugar is tested with an iodine solution but it does not change to blue-black colour. What can be a possible reason?

Answer: The reason sugar does not change to a blue-black colour when tested with iodine is that iodine specifically reacts with starch, not with simple sugars. Iodine forms a blue-black complex with starch, indicating its presence, but since sugar does not contain starch, no colour change occurs.

Question 10. What do you think of Raman’s statement, “All starches are carbohydrates but not all carbohydrates are starches.” Describe the design of an activity to test your answer.

Answer: Raman’s statement is accurate. Carbohydrates consist of sugars, starches, and fibres. Starches are long chains of glucose, while simple sugars and fibres are also carbohydrates but not starches.

Activity Design: Testing Types of Carbohydrates

Materials Needed:

• Iodine solution

• Food samples: Potato, rice, sugar crystals, honey, fruits, raw vegetables

Steps:

1. Place food samples in separate containers.

2. Label each container (e.g., Potato, Sugar).

3. Add a few drops of iodine solution to each sample.

4. Observe any colour change and record your findings.

Expected Results:

• Starch sources (e.g., potato, rice) turn blue-black.

• Sugar sources (e.g., sugar, honey) show no change.

• Fibre sources (e.g., raw vegetables) also show no change.

Conclusion: Starch-containing foods turn blue-black with iodine, while sugars and fibres do not. This confirms that while all starches are carbohydrates, not all carbohydrates are starches.

Question 11. While using iodine in the laboratory, a few drops of iodine fell on Mishti’s socks and a few fell on her teacher’s saree. The drops of iodine on the saree turned blue-black while the colour of the socks did not change. What can be a possible reason?

Answer: The iodine turned blue-black on the teacher's saree because the saree likely contained starch, which reacts with iodine. The blue-black colour indicates the presence of starch in the saree fabric (possibly cotton). However, Mishti's socks did not change colour because they likely did not contain starch.

Question 12. Why are millets considered a healthy choice of food? Can eating just millets suffice for the nutritional requirements of the body? Discuss.

Answer: Millets are regarded as a healthy food choice due to their rich nutritional profile. They are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals (such as iron and calcium), and dietary fibre, making them ideal for maintaining good health. Millets are often referred to as nutri-cereals. While they are highly nutritious, consuming only millet may not meet all the nutritional needs of the body. A balanced diet requires a variety of food groups, and millets should be included as part of a diverse diet.

Question 13. You are given a sample of a solution. How would you check the possibility of it being an iodine solution?

Answer: To determine if the given sample is an iodine solution, you can perform the following test:

Starch Test (Iodine Test):

• Add a few drops of the solution to a small amount of starch (or use starch indicator paper).

• If the solution contains iodine, it will react with starch to form a blue-black colour.

• The appearance of this blue-black colour indicates the presence of iodine in the sample.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 3 Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body

1. Clear Understanding of Concepts: NCERT Solutions provides detailed explanations, ensuring students grasp the importance of mindful eating and nutrition.

2. Step-by-Step Answers: Solutions are presented in a clear, step-by-step manner, making it easier for students to follow and understand key ideas.

3. Helps in Exam Preparation: The solutions cover important topics and questions, aiding in effective revision and exam preparation.

4. Improves Problem-Solving Skills: Encourages analytical thinking by providing answers that help students understand how to approach different types of questions.

5. Time Management: With concise answers, students can save time during exam preparation by quickly reviewing the key points.

6. Accurate and Reliable: NCERT Solutions are crafted according to the NCERT guidelines, ensuring accuracy and reliability for school exams.

Important Study Material Links for Science Chapter 3 Class 6 

Conclusion

Chapter 3: Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body highlights the significance of paying attention to our eating habits to foster better health. By practising mindful eating, individuals can make more informed food choices, enjoy their meals fully, and contribute to their overall well-being. The chapter encourages adopting a balanced diet and nurturing healthy eating habits as essential steps toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science 

After familiarising yourself with the Class 6 Science Chapter 3 Question Answers, you can access comprehensive NCERT Solutions from all Class 6 Science textbook chapters.

Related Important Links for Class 6 Science 

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