3rd and 4th Class: SPHE

Food Glorious Food!

Just like a car needs petrol to work, we need fuel to be strong and grow. The human body's fuel is food, and what we eat is very important in making sure our bodies work properly e.g. a body cannot run for very long on junk food, it will soon run out of energy and could get sick easily because it is missing vital vitamins and minerals.

That is why it is it is so important that we eat lots of different types of food. By eating a balanced diet our bodies obtain the fuels and nutrients they need to function properly. A balanced diet is made up of food from each of the food groups:

Fruit & Vegetables: They can be fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced and they are brilliant for our diets. Fruits and veggies are packed full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre that keep us feeling full and our digestive systems healthy. Make sure to vary the type of fruits and veg you eat so you get a range of the important nutrients that they contain.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates give you energy, calcium, and B vitamins

Protein: Proteins help the body grow and repair and provide us iron and other vitamins and minerals.

Dairy: These foods are packed with calcium, protein, and vitamins such as vitamins A, D and B12 and they keep our bones and teeth healthy.

Fats & Sugars: This food group do not have much nutrition. Try to keep foods such as margarine, cooking oils and salad dressings to a minimum and save sweet treat, crisps, and fizzy drinks for the occasional treat.

Can You Match the Food to the Food Group?

You can also try this online Food Pyramid Game from safeFood Ireland.

With your food group knowledge can you plan a tasty balanced meal. Draw the food on the picture below.

Send us pictures or videos of what you have done. Ask your parents to help you send them to rte.ie/learn

Perfect Pancakes

From safefood.eu

Who said it has to be pancake Tuesday to eat pancakes! Any day can be pancake day with this simple recipe.

Many people like sweet pancakes so to sweeten up this recipe try adding fresh or stewed fruit. Or have a bit of fun by creating faces on your pancakes with some banana or berries!

Ingredients - Serves 6

100g / 4 oz. of plain flour

2 medium eggs

300ml / 10 fl oz. of semi-skimmed milk

1 teaspoon of sunflower oil

Utensils needed

Frying pan

Mixing Bowl

Spatula

Whisk

Method

Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, make a well in the centre and then add the beaten eggs
Use a balloon whisk to beat the eggs into the flour and gradually whisk in the milk until just smooth
Brush a non-stick medium frying pan with the oil and when very hot pour in about 3 tablespoons worth of the batter
Quickly tilt the pan from side to side to form a thick layer of batter and cook for one minute
Flip the pancake over with a spatula and cook until the underside is slightly golden
Continue with the rest of the batter, recoating the pan with oil when required

Serving Suggestions

Make healthier pancakes by using some of these filling ideas:

Low-fat natural yogurt with sliced strawberries: 1 tablespoon of sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon of low-fat natural yogurt adds 25 calories
Stewed fruit (stewed with sugar)
Squeeze of lemon

For something a little different try a savoury option: Minced beef Bolognese

Video of making the pancakes