Let's find out what food does for your body. We will start with energy and protein. Food gives your body energy. Your body needs protein to repair cells and make new ones. Beans are a plant food that gives your body protein. Fish, eggs and meat are foods from animals that give your body protein.

Next, let's follow food through your body. Saliva starts to break down starches in food 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 so the body can absorb the nutrients it needs.

Now let's look at the rest of the trip. The small intestine takes digested nutrients into the blood. The large intestine absorbs water and turns waste into stool. Fibre is a part of plant foods. It helps other food and waste move through the gut. Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest.

Now let's look at calcium, iron and zinc. Here are three things the body gets from food. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. Milk, yogurt and cheese are dairy foods that have calcium. Iron helps make red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen around the body. Zinc helps the body make new cells and heal wounds.

Now let's look at vitamins. Fruits and vegetables have vitamins, such as vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body heal wounds. Oranges and grapefruit are citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C. 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.

Let's look at more vitamins. The body makes vitamin D when sunlight shines on the skin. Vitamin K helps blood to clot, so cuts and scrapes stop bleeding quickly. Fat helps the body absorb vitamins A, D and E. Let's end with one more 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
• saliva: mouth juice
• nutrients: food helpers
• intestine: food tube
• fibre: plant part

The short version

Food gives your body energy. The body breaks food into tiny pieces so it can absorb the nutrients it needs. The small intestine takes digested nutrients into the blood, and the large intestine absorbs water and turns waste into stool. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth.

Quick facts

• Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth.
• Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest.
• Your body needs protein to repair cells and make new ones.
• Fat helps the body absorb vitamins A, D and E.