Food, Farms and Healthy Habits: Class 2 Study Guide
Food travels from farms to our plates. Many people help along the way.
Our food comes from plants and animals. Rice, wheat, pulses, vegetables and fruits come from plants. Milk, eggs and fish come from animals. A farmer sows seeds, waters the field, protects the crop and harvests it. The crop then goes to the market or a mill, and then to our kitchen.
Different regions grow different crops: rice in the east and south, wheat in the north, tea in Assam and the Nilgiris, coconut along the coast, and many fruits in the hills. This is why food in India is so varied.
From field to plate
| Step | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | Seeds are planted in soil | Wheat seeds in the field |
| Growing | Water and sunlight help the plant grow | Rice paddy fields |
| Harvesting | The crop is cut and collected | Cutting wheat |
| Market | Food is sold | Vegetable market |
| Kitchen | Food is cooked | Roti and dal |
A balanced diet
A balanced meal has foods from each group: energy foods (rice, roti, potato), body-building foods (dal, milk, egg, fish), and protective foods (fruits and vegetables). Water is also important. Eating different colours of fruits and vegetables gives the body different nutrients. Junk food and too many sweets are not good for the body.
Roti or rice.
Dal or egg.
Two colours.
A small portion.
Keeping food clean and safe
Wash hands before eating and cooking. Wash fruits and vegetables. Cover food to keep flies away. Drink clean, boiled or filtered water. Keep cooked food in clean containers, and do not eat food that smells bad. Do not waste food: share leftovers or compost peels.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Which food gives energy? Rice. Where does milk come from? Cows, buffaloes and goats. Common mistakes: thinking food is made in the shop, and thinking sweet foods are the best 'energy' foods. Whole grains and fruits provide steady energy. Talk about the people who grow and carry our food.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Example: Rice in West Bengal and wheat in Punjab. 2. To remove dirt and germs. 3. Example: roti (energy), dal (body-building) and a vegetable curry (protective).
✨ Key Takeaways
- Food comes from plants and animals.
- Farmers grow crops that reach us through markets.
- A balanced diet has energy, body-building and protective foods.
- Clean hands and clean water keep food safe.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name two crops and the places they grow.
- Why do we wash fruits before eating?
- Plan a balanced lunch with three food groups.