Let's find out what food does for your body. Food gives your body energy. Your body also needs protein. It repairs cells and makes new ones. Beans are a plant food with protein. Fish, eggs and meat are animal foods. They have protein too.

Now let's look at two things in food. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. Milk, yogurt and cheese are dairy foods that have calcium. Now for iron. Iron helps make red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen around the body.

Now let's look at vitamins. Fruits and vegetables have vitamins, such as vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body heal wounds. Carrots have substances that your body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps you see in dim light. Cheese, eggs and milk are foods that have vitamin A.

Next, let's follow food through your body. Saliva starts to break down starches in food. This happens while the food is still in your mouth. After you swallow, muscles push food down the esophagus into the stomach. Stomach muscles mix food with digestive juices.

Food is broken into tiny pieces. Then the body can take in the nutrients it needs. The small intestine takes nutrients into the blood. Fibre is a part of plant foods. It helps food and waste move through the gut.

Let's look at one more vitamin. The body makes vitamin D when sunlight shines on the skin. Here is the last thing to know. Eating a mix of different foods is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need.

Words to know

• protein: body builder
• calcium: bone helper
• saliva: mouth juice
• nutrients: food helpers
• fibre: plant part