CLASSIFICATION
A paragraph of classification divides people, places, or things into groups.
Classification is used by nutritionists to describe different categories of food, by
biologists to describe kinds of animals, and by psychologists to describe personality
types.
The words bellow signal a classification:
categories classes
groups
kinds
types
Gathering thoughts on nutrition
1. Which foods do you think are particularly healthful? Make a list.
2. Which foods do you usually eat every day? Make a list.
Five Essential Words
The following words are important in this chapter. They are also common in many
science readings and in everyday English, but often in a different context.
energy, n.
essential, adj.
fuel, n.
repair, v.
source, n.
the power to act
necessary, basic
something burned to produce energy
to fix
the beginning; the origin
A. Choose the correct word from the Five Essential Words. Fill in the
blanks.
1. For months my car did not work very well. It burned too much _______ .
I was busy working and did not have the time or the_________ to fix it.
Besides, I did not know the __________ of the problem. I finally took the
car to a mechanic. He told me that the car was missing one________ part
from its engine. He was able to __________ the car in less than an hour.
2. The human body uses food for __________ . Food also gives _______ to
the body. It can also __________ minor damage in the body. Food is also
a __________ of the vitamins in the body. Vitamins are __________ for
our good health.
Compare the two texts.
B. Rapid reading and understanding
Some words in a sentence are more important than others because they carry more
information. Good readers focus on the important words when they read.
Focusing on key words is faster and more efficient than reading every word in a
sentence.
The sentences below are from "The nutrients in Food". Practice reading and
understanding these sentences rapidly. Underline the letter in front of the sentence
which best conveys the meaning of the words in italics.
Examples:
Corn oil is a vegetable fat.
a. The oil from corn is a vegetable fat.
b. Corn is a vegetable fat.
c. Oil is a vegetable.
People need complete proteins
every day.
a. People must eat proteins which are
incomplete.
b. People must eat proteins which
complete.
c. People must eat complete meals.
1. Their appetite is good.
a. They want to eat.
b. They want to sleep.
c. They want to exercise.
2. All lean meats have iron.
a. Some lean meats have iron.
b. Meat without fat has iron.
c. Clean meats have iron.
3. Vitamins help prevent diseases.
a. Vitamins help prevent discomfort.
b. Vitamins help prevent seasickness.
c. Vitamins help prevent illnesses.
4. Vitamin D helps build strong
bones.
a. People who get vitamin D are strong
builders.
b. People who get vitamin D do not have
weak bones.
c. People who get vitamin D have long
bones.
5. Carbohydrates provide heat
and energy.
a. Carbohydrates are hot.
b. Carbohydrates are fuel.
c. Carbohydrates are active.
6. People need all the essential
nutrients.
a. People need every necessary nutrient
b. People need most of the necessary
nutrients.
c. People need a few of the necessary
nutrients.
7. Vitamin A comes from fruits
and vegetables.
a. Lettuce has vitamin A.
b. Hamburger has vitamin A.
c. Bread has vitamin A.
8. Extra protein in the body
is stored as fat.
a. All the protein is store.
b. Excess protein is stored.
c. Expensive protein is stored.
9. The average adult has 10 to
kilograms of body fat.
a. Everybody has 10 to 11 kilograms of 11
fat.
b. Children have 10 to 11 kilograms of
fat.
c. A typical man or woman has 10 to 11.
10. People need about 800
milligrams of calcium a day.
a. Eat 800 grams of calcium every day.
b. Eat 600 milligrams of calcium every
day.
c. Eat 800 milligrams of calcium every
day.
Reading Skills: Identifying Topic Sentences
Most paragraphs have one sentence which expresses the general idea or topic of the
paragraph. This sentence is called the topic sentence of the paragraph. In most
paragraphs in textbooks, the topic sentence is the first sentence. In other
paragraphs, the topic sentence may be either the second or the last sentence.
Identifying the topic sentence of a paragraph will help you understand the general
idea of the paragraph quickly.
Exercise 1.
Directions: Choose the correct topic sentence for each paragraph below. Write the
topic sentence of the paragraph on the line provided.
Example:
a. Water is found all over the world.
b. Water has important nutrients.
c. Water is essential for good health.
__________________________________________________
It is necessary for every process of the body like digestion and absorption of food. In
addition, water helps control the temperature of the body. It keeps the temperature at
37oC (98.6oF). Water also cleans the tissues. Water is found in all foods. For
instance, fresh vegetables are 90 percent water, eggs are 74 percent water, and
hamburger is 60 percent water.
The topic sentence of the sample paragraph is c. Water is essential for good health.
Finish the exercise.
Paragraph 1
a. There are many ways to cook meat and grains.
b. There are two kinds of proteins: complete and incomplete proteins.
c. There are two kinds of amino acids.
__________________________________________________
Complete proteins, which the body needs for growth, have all the essential amino
acids. Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and cheese have complete proteins. The body
needs complete proteins every day. The second kind, incomplete proteins, do not
have all the essential amino acids. The proteins in vegetables and grains, for
instance, are incomplete proteins. Two ways to form complete proteins from
incomplete proteins are: (1) to mix vegetables and grains correctly, or (2) to add a
small amount of meat or milk to a large amount of grains. The body can then use the
complete proteins which result from the mixtures.
Paragraph 2
a. If there is not enough iron in the diet, a person will get a disease
that is commonly called anemia.
b. If people eat healthy meals, they will get all of the minerals they
need.
c. If people do not get enough oxygen, they will feel tired.
Iron
is
the
mineral
that
makes
blood
look
red.
_______________________________________________ . Anemia is found all over
the world. People with anemia do not have enough iron in their blood. Because iron
carries oxygen people who do not have enough iron do not get enough oxygen for
their normal activities. Their heart beats faster so their bodies can get more oxygen.
People who have anemia often get tired easily. Sometimes their skin looks white; it
does not look pink and healthy.
Paragraph 3
a. When a grain is processed, it tastes better.
b. When a grain is processed, it is more expensive.
c. When a grain is processed, it loses vitamins.
__________________________________________________ . For example, there
is a big difference between brown and white rice. When rice is processed, the brown
outside (husk) is lost. The brown outside (husk) of rice has an important B vitamin
which white rice lacks. In short, brown rice has more B vitamins than processed rice.
Paragraph 4
a. Vitamin D is called "sunshine" vitamin.
b. Vitamin D is found in only a few foods.
c. Vitamins are essential in tropical countries.
_____________________________________________________________
When people sit outside, ultraviolet rays from the sun change a fat in their skin to
vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. It helps build strong bones, and
it prevents a disease in children that is called rickets. When children have this
disease, their bones bend because they do not become hard. Rickets is seldom
found in sunny, tropical countries. Rickets is more common in countries that have
long winters with little sunshine, in cities where pollution obscures the sun, or in
towns surrounded by mountains which keep the sun out.
Exercise 2
Directions: These questions are based on the completed paragraphs in Exercise 1.
1. Choose the best answer for each blank.
1. The topic of the sample paragraph is
a. water
b. body temperature
c. nutrients
__________________ .
2. The topic of Paragraph 1 is
a. complete and incomplete proteins
b. a definition of amino acids
c. a description of how to cook grains
__________________ .
3. The topic of Paragraph 2 is
a. oxygen
b. minerals
c. anemia
__________________ .
4. The topic of Paragraph 3 is
a. processed grains
b. the importance of B vitamins
c. color of vitamins
__________________ .
5. The topic of Paragraph 4 is
a. children
b. climate
c. vitamin D
__________________ .
Reading Anticipation - Organization
1. Number the paragraphs in "The Nutrients in Food". How many
paragraphs are there? __________________
2. Read the introduction (Paragraph 1). First nutrients are defined. Then
the five general groups of nutrients are listed. In what order do you
think the author discusses these nutrients?
First:
____________________
Second:
Third:
Fourth:
Fifth:
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
3. Quickly read only the first sentence of each paragraph. From these
sentences, guess which paragraphs are about each of the topics
listed below. Underline or circle the number/s which paragraphs are about
each general topic. Paragraph 1 is an introduction. Finish the exercise.
Topics
Introduction
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Minerals
Vitamins
Conclusion
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
9
9
9
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
4. Look at your list of topics above, and try and say in which
paragraph you will probably find the answers to the following
questions.
__ a.
__ b.
__ c.
__ d.
__ e.
__ f.
__ g.
__ h.
__ i.
__ j.
Why are carbohydrates important?
What are the best sources of calcium and phosphorus?
Why do people need protein?
In general, why are nutrients important?
Give two examples of foods that have incomplete proteins.
What happens to a person who does not have enough iron?
How many vitamins are there?
How much body fat does the average adult have?
Why are the B vitamins important?
Where does vitamin C in the diet come from?
Reading Hints
1. Remember specific facts. As you read, try to understand and
remember one specific fact about each topic in the list of topics
above.
2. Focus on key words in a sentence.
Words: 1,150
Suggested reading time 7:30 minutes
THE NUTRIENTS IN FOOD
1. Nutrients are the parts of food that are important for life and health. Nutrients are
important for three reasons. First, some nutrients provide fuel for energy. Second,
some nutrients build and repair body tissues. Third, some nutrients help control
different processes of the body like the absorption of minerals and the clotting of
blood. Scientists think there are 40 to 50 nutrients. These nutrients are divided
into five general groups: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
2. The first group of nutrients is carbohydrates. There are two kinds of
carbohydrates: starches and sugars. Bread, potatoes, and rice are starches. They
have many carbohydrates. Candy, soft drinks, jelly, and other foods with sugar
also have carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are important because they provide the
body with heat and energy. Sugar, for instance, is 100 percent energy. It has no
other food value. Sugar does not build body tissues or control body processes. If
there are too many carbohydrates in the body, they are stored as body fat. The
body stores fuel as fat.
3. There are two types of fats: animal and vegetable. Butter, cream, and the fat in
bacon are animal fats. Olive oil, corn oil, and peanut oil are vegetable fats. The
body has fat under the skin and around some of the organs inside. The average
adult has 10 to 11 kilograms ( 20 to 25 pounds) of body fat. If adults eat too many
carbohydrates and fats, they can add another 45 kilograms (100 pounds) to their
bodies. Fat is extra fuel. When the body needs energy, it changes the fat into
carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are used as energy. Fat also keeps the body
warm.
4. The third group of nutrients is proteins. The word "protein" comes from a Greek
word that means "of first importance". Proteins are of "first importance" because
they are necessary for life. Proteins are made of amino acids, which build and
repair body tissues. They are an important part of all the muscles, organs, skin,
and hair. The body has 22 different amino acids. Nutritionists call eight of these
amino acids essential because the body does not manufacture them.
5. There are two kinds of proteins: complete proteins and incomplete proteins.
Complete proteins which the body needs for growth, have all the essential amino
acids. Meat, fish, poultry, eggs milk, and cheese contain complete proteins. The
body needs complete proteins every day. Incomplete proteins do not have all the
essential amino acids. The proteins in vegetables and grains, for instance, are
incomplete proteins. Two ways to form complete proteins from incomplete
proteins are: (1) to mix vegetables and grains correctly, or (2) to add a small
amount of meat or milk to a large amount of grains. The body can then use the
complete proteins which result from the mixtures.
6. Extra protein in the body can be changed to fat and stored as body fat. It can also
be changed to carbohydrates and used for energy. If people do not eat enough
carbohydrates and fats for the energy that they need, their body uses proteins for
energy. Then the body does not have the proteins that it needs to build and repair
tissues. A nutritious diet includes carbohydrates and fats for energy, and proteins
for growth.
7. The fourth group of nutrients is minerals. There are more than twenty different
minerals in the body. Three of the most important minerals are calcium,
phosphorus, and iron. Calcium and phosphorus work together. The bones and the
teeth contain 99 percent of the calcium in the body. If people have enough
calcium and phosphorus, their bones and teeth will be strong and hard. In
addition, their muscles, nerves, and heart will work correctly. Milk and hard
cheeses are the best sources of calcium. After the age of 19, people need 400 to
500 milligrams of calcium a day. People who do not drink three glasses of milk
daily can eat 50 hamburgers or 56 apples to get the calcium they need.
8. Iron is the mineral that makes blood look red. All lean meats have iron; liver is an
especially good source of iron. Whole grains, nuts, some vegetables, and dried
fruits also have iron. If there is not enough iron in their diets, people will get a
disease that is commonly called anemia. Anemia is found all over the world.
People with anemia do not have enough iron in their blood. Because iron carries
oxygen, people who do not have enough iron do not get enough oxygen for their
normal activities. Their hearts beat faster so their bodies can get more oxygen.
People who have anemia often get tired easily. Sometimes their skin looks white;
it does not look pink and healthy.
9. Nutritionists think there are thirteen vitamins that humans need. Vitamins are
important because they prevent diseases and help control body processes.
Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and eyes. People who do not have enough
vitamin A may have night blindness. Some automobile accidents happen in the
evening because people who lack vitamin A do not see the road well after they
look at the bright headlights of a car. Vitamin A in the diet comes from deep
yellow fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, and whole milk.
10. When people have enough B vitamins, their appetite is good and their nerves are
calm. B vitamins in the diet come from some kinds of meat and vegetables, milk,
cottage cheese, and whole grains. When a grain is processed, it loses vitamins.
For example, there is a big difference between brown and white rice. When rice is
processed the brown outside (husk) is lost. The brown outside of rice (husk) has
an important B vitamin which white rice lacks. In short, brown rice has more B
vitamins than processed rice.
11. Vitamin C keeps the cells of the body together. It helps skin tissue recover from
cuts and burns. Vitamin C in the diet comes from tomatoes, citrus fruits like
lemons and oranges, and some vegetables such as cabbage and green pepper.
12. Vitamin D is called the "sunshine" vitamin. When people sit outside, ultraviolet
rays from the sun change a fat in their skin to vitamin D. Vitamin D is also found in
cod liver oil and the eggs yolks. It is sometimes added to milk. Vitamin D helps the
body absorb calcium. It helps build strong bones, and it prevents a disease in
children that is called rickets. When children have this disease, their bones bend
because they do not become hard. Rickets is seldom found in sunny, tropical
countries. It is more common in countries that have long winters with little
sunshine, in cities that have pollution that obscures the sun, or in towns
surrounded by mountains that keep the sun out.
13. There is no one food that is essential but there are nutrients that are necessary
for good health. If people want to be healthy and active they need to get all the
essential nutrients. A healthy body needs carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals,
and vitamins.
"Thousands upon thousands of persons have studied disease. Almost no one has studied
health ".
Adelle Davis, a popular American nutritionist
Exercise 3.
Directions: "The Nutrients in Food" is a classification. The classification shows how
nutrients are divided into different groups. Make a diagram of this classification in the
space below.
Exercise 4: Directions: The reading discusses different nutrients. There is generally
the same kind of information for each nutrient. Draw a chart on nutrients and fill it with
the information you have read. Do not write sentences. Write only the information.
Exercise 5. Below are some new specific facts. First, decide which general topic the
fact talks about. Then indicate which paragraph the new fact belongs with. If the fact
does not belong in any paragraph, put a 0.
Example:
____ Because the body does not store extra vitamin C, it is important
to get some vitamin C every day. (11)
____ a. Nuts and dried beans and peas are incomplete proteins.
____ b. Bright light destroys vitamin A in the body: As a result, people
who work in bright light use more vitamin A than other people.
____ c. Young people need 0.5 to 0.6 grams of calcium a day.
____ d. In an average diet, carbohydrates give about 35 percent of
the body's energy.
____ e. Pure fats give more than twice as much energy as carbohydrates.
____ f. There are hundreds of different kinds of proteins.
____ g. People who live near the coast get iodine from the water they
drink.
____ h. If people do not have enough vitamin C, they can get a
disease that is called scurvy.
____ i. About one-half of a person's body weight is water.
____ j. People who drink a lot of water, coffee, beer, or other liquids
may lose a lot of the B vitamins in their bodies.
Exercise 6.
Directions: Practice asking and answering questions about "The Nutrients in Food".
Work with your colleague. Use your chart. Do not look at the reading.
Example:
Q: What are the best sources of carbohydrates?
A: The best sources of carbohydrates are bread, potatoes, grains, and
sugar.
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Exercise 7.
Directions: Read each sentence. Find the paragraph in "Nutrients in Food" which
explains the situation. Give specific advice.
Example: Ms. Crosby does not have beautiful hair. (Paragraph 4)
Ms. Crosby probably does not have beautiful hair because she does not get enough
protein. If she wants to have beautiful hair, she should eat more meat, fish, cheese,
eggs, or milk.
1. Mr. Stills is very thin.
2. Miss Nash does not have good posture. She does not stand straight
because the muscles in her back are not very strong.
3. Mrs. Young does not have healthy teeth even though every day she
eats foods which have calcium.
4. Mr. Simon is often tired and out of breath.
5. Mr. Garfinkel does not see very well when he is driving at night.
6. Ms. Mitchell is usually very nervous.
7. When Mrs. King cuts herself, her skin does not heal quickly.
8. Mr. Pride has weak bones.
Exercise 8.
Directions: There are several definitions in "The Nutrients in Food".
Underline and copy them.
ADDITIONAL READING SKILL: SCANNING
Remember: SCANNING is a reading skill used by good readers to find specific
information quickly. People scan to find facts and to answer questions.
Exercise 1. Directions:
1. Read the questions.
2. Decide what kind of information to look for (e.g. a number, a date,
a person's name). Fill in the blank with the kind of information you
need.
3. Then scan the paragraph to find the sentence with the answer. Read
the sentence to be certain you have the correct answer.
4. Write the answer.
A. What percentage of an egg is water?
_____________________________________________________________
Water is essential for good health. It is necessary for every process of the body, such
as digestion and the absorption of food. In addition, water helps control the
temperature of the body. It keeps the temperature at 37 oC (98.6o F). water also
cleans the tissues. Water is found in all foods. For instance, fresh vegetables are 90
percent water, eggs are 74 percent water, and a hamburger is 60 percent water.
B. When did scientists announce the formula of vitamin B12?
______________________________________________________________
One type of anemia from a poor diet is pernicious anemia. In this disease, there are
too few red blood cells in the body and these red blood cells are too large. Pernicious
anemia is now controlled by vitamin B12. In 1948 scientists in England and the
United States discovered a red crystalline substance which they identified as vitamin
B12. In 1955 they announced the chemical formula of vitamin B12. Except for
protein, B12 is the largest, most complex molecule scientists know about. When a
person has pernicious anemia, the doctor can inject a fraction of a gram of B 12 into
the muscle. B12 restores the blood to normal. It makes the person comfortable
because it eliminates the nervousness associated with pernicious anemia. It also
helps the body use the amino acids it needs for growth.
C. Where was research on raw egg whites done?
______________________________________________________________
Nutritional studies have shown that a large amount of raw egg white in the diet is
unhealthy. When the egg white is not cooked, one of its proteins combines with an
essential B vitamin in the egg. Then the body cannot absorb this B vitamin. When
researchers at the University of Georgia fed laboratory animals raw egg whites, the
animals lost their hair, got anemia, and became nervous. However, when the animals
ate the egg that was cooked until the white was firm, all of these symptoms
disappeared.
D. How much does Dr. Herbert estimate Americans spend each year on
unnecessary vitamins?
Dr. Victor Herbert, professor of medicine at Columbia University, warns people about
taking too many vitamins. He estimates that Americans spend about $2 billion each
year on unnecessary vitamins. There is evidence that taking too many vitamins
causes problems. Too much B6 may damage the liver. Too much vitamin C may
damage growing bones. Too much vitamin E may cause headaches and blurred
vision. Dr. Herbert suggests that Americans can get enough vitamins from a
nutritious diet without taking vitamin pills.
E. How long does a taste bud last?
__________________________________
We talk about four basic flavors: sweet, sour, salt, and bitter. Yet, we can distinguish
hundreds of subtle flavors. The flavor of a food comes from all of our senses: taste,
touch, sight, smell, and sound. Our taste depends on the taste buds on the tongue.
Taste buds last about seven days. They are constantly being rebuilt. Children have
about 9,000 taste buds and generally prefer bland foods. The taste buds are at their
most efficient at the age of 20.
As some people get older, their taste buds are able to distinguish fewer flavors.
People who drink too much alcohol may also lose the ability to distinguish subtle
flavors.
F. Who thinks corn and oats are only for animals?
_______________________________________________
People may reject certain foods because of their religious and cultural habits. Hindus
do not eat beef. Americans do not eat dog meat or horse meat. In the Tiv tribe in
Nigeria, the men eat pork but the women are not allowed to. In certain parts of Africa,
fish is considered an unclean food. Some Europeans think that corn and oats are
only for animals. The Jains (a Hindu sect) in India believe that grains and seeds have
the essence of life. Therefore, they avoid them in their diet. Ugandans think milk
carries a skin disease. In sum, each cultural group
has different foods which it does not eat.
PARAGRAPHS FOR PRACTICE
This exercise gives you additional practice reading, understanding, and
taking notes on paragraphs of classification.
1. Read each paragraph. Then reread it and take notes in the space
provided in the margin. Write only the words you need in order to
remember the information in the paragraph. Unless necessary, do not
write complete sentences.
2. Afterwards, use your notes to make the classifications. When writing the
classifications use only your notes and do not look at the whole text.
A.
Meat is the part of animals that
people eat. There are four kinds of
meat: red meat, organ meat (offals), fish,
and poultry. Red meat includes beef,
pork, lamb, and goat. Organ meats (offals)
are liver, heart, kidneys, brain, and
tongue. There are three classes of fish:
saltwater fish, freshwater fish, and
shellfish such as lobster and clams.
Notes:
Poultry includes chicken, turkey, duck,
and hen.
Classification:
B.
There are three main ways that vitamins
are lost from foods. First, some vitamins
dissolve in water. When vegetables are
cooked in water, the vitamins go into the
water. If the water is thrown away, the
vitamins are lost. In addition, heat, light
and oxygen change some vitamins. If
vegetables are cooked, the heat changes
some of the vitamins. Then these vitamins
are no longer healthful. For instance, broiling
grapefruit destroys some of its vitamin C.
Finally, people sometimes throw away the
part of a plant which has the most vitamins.
For example, when flour is processed, the
wheat germ, which is very rich in vitamins,
is lost.
Notes:
Classification:
C.
Let us look at three categories of diseases
which are related to food. First, people
may get a disease because they lack a
nutrient they need. For example, if they
do not have enough iron, they will develop a
form of anemia. Secondly, people may
get food poisoning. There are four major
sources of food poisoning: harmful bacteria,
parasites (like worms), harmful chemicals,
and naturally poisonous plants such as
some mushrooms. Finally, some people
have food allergies. These people are
very sensitive to certain foods. for instance,
some people get sick when they eat eggs
because they are allergic to them.
Classification:
D.
Notes:
About 1.03 billion pounds of chemicals are
added to food in the United States every
year. There are four main types of additives
which are used. Preservatives keep food
fresh. They are often used in potato chips,
breakfast cereals, and oils. Other additives,
like calcium chloride and other calcium
compounds, help food keep its texture. For
instance, a calcium compound is added to
some salt so it will always pour easily. A third
group of additives helps liquids stay mixed.
These chemicals are usually used in peanut
butter, ice cream, and mayonnaise. Finally,
food colorings are used to make food look
better. They are found in candies, soft drinks,
and fruits.
Notes:
Classification:
E.
There are two general kinds of milk
available: whole milk and concentrated
milk. Whole milk has all the nutrients of
milk. It is usually 2 to 4 percent butterfat
and 8.5 percent milk solids. The rest is
water. When some or all of the water is
removed from the milk, the product is
called concentrated milk. There are three
main types of concentrated milk:
evaporated, dehydrated, and condensed.
Evaporated milk, which is very thick, contains
only 40 percent of its water. It usually
comes in cans. Dehydrated milk has no
water. It is a dry powder that usually
comes in boxes. Condensed milk is
evaporated and sweetened. It is about
42 percent sugar. People choose which
kind of milk to buy depending on their
needs.
Classification:
Notes:
F.
Activities can be divided into categories
according to the number of calories they
use up. One kind of activity is a sedentary
activity. A person who is reading, writing,
watching TV, or playing cards uses 80 to
100 calories an hour. Another kind of activity
is a light activity. A person who is doing a
light activity, such as cooking, dusting, or walking
slowly, uses 110 to 160 calories an hour.
A third kind of activity, moderate activity,
uses 170 to 240 calories an hour. These
are activities such as sweeping, gardening,
or carpentry work. A fourth group, vigorous
activities, uses 250 to 350 calories an hour.
These are activities like walking fast, bowling,
or golfing. Finally a person who is doing a
strenuous activity uses 350 or more calories
an hour. These are activities such as
swimming, playing tennis, or dancing.
Notes:
Classification:
APPLYING SKILLS
Use the passages below to apply the reading and vocabulary skills you have studied
in this chapter.
When you read these passages, make a diagram of the classification the author
presents.
Later use your diagram to explain one of the reading passages to a colleague.
DRUGS
Drugs can be divided into three main groups: those that a person can buy without a
prescription, those that a person needs a doctor's prescription for and those that are
illegal.
Two popular non prescription drugs are caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine is found in
coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola drinks. It is a mental stimulant; it stimulates the
central nervous system and makes people feel alert. Students, for example, often find
they can study better if they have a cup of coffee. On the other hand, caffeine can
also make people nervous and irritable. If people drink too much caffeine they may
have trouble sleeping.
Alcohol is a depressant; it depresses the central nervous system. When people drink
they have less control over their actions. They cannot walk in a straight line and they
cannot drive as well as when they do not have alcohol in their blood. People who
drink a great deal sometimes fall into deep sleep. Later, they may wake up with a
strong headache which is called a hangover.
In addition to these non prescription drugs, there are two major categories of
prescription drugs: stimulants and depressants. The depressants include barbiturates
and morphine. Barbiturates are used as sleeping pills. Morphine is used as a pain
killer. The most common stimulants were amphetamines. Doctors used to prescribe
amphetamines as diet pills. However, they have found that amphetamines can have
serious side effects. They can make a patient very nervous and, when the drug
wears off, the patient may feel very depressed. Doctors still give amphetamines to
people with narcolepsy, an illness that causes sudden, uncontrollable attacks of
sleep.
The largest class of illegal drugs is the hallucinogens, drugs that change the way a
person thinks and cause hallucinations or visions. LSD and mescaline are both
strong hallucinogens. For some people marijuana is a mild hallucinogen. Marijuana
generally brings a pleasant feeling. However, when people smoke marijuana, they
sometimes cannot concentrate very well on their activities, such as their work or
driving.
GLOSSARY:
Additional reading
MALNUTRITION
Some people suffer from malnutrition. Their diets contain too great a quantity of some
nutrients, or too few calories. Nutritionists have three major ways of deciding if a
person is suffering from malnutrition: physical exams, laboratory tests and diet
studies.
In the physical exam the nutritionist looks for external signs of malnutrition. For one
thing, the nutritionist looks at the patient's skin. Rough, dry skin, for example, may
mean that the patient does not have enough vitamin A. In addition, the nutritionist
looks at the patient's mouth. Cracks at the corner of the mouth, a purplish or bright
red tongue and bleeding gums can all be signs of vitamin deficiencies. The
nutritionist also notices the patient's hair. If a patient does not have enough protein,
the hair may be thinner and duller than normal.
In laboratory tests, nutritionists check the amounts of nutrients patients have in their
bodies. There are two main types of laboratory tests: blood tests and urine tests. A
blood test can show, for example, if a patient has anemia from too little iron in his or
her diet. A urine test shows how much vitamin is absorbed by the body and how
much passes through the body because it is not needed. If the patient's body
absorbs a great deal of the vitamins, the patient may have a vitamin deficiency.
There are three main ways nutritionists do diet studies. First, the nutritionist may
interview the patient and ask general questions about the patient's diet. The
nutritionist might ask questions such as the following: What do you usually eat for
breakfast? How much coffee do you drink in a day? How often do you eat a raw
vegetable salad? Second, the nutritionist may ask the patient to recall everything she
or he ate in the past 24 hours. This information represents the person's usual diet.
Finally, patients are asked to keep their own list of what they eat. Later the
nutritionist looks at the list to see if the patient ate too much or too little of any
nutrient.
GLOSSARY:
Additional Reading
COFFEE AND TEA
The most popular hot beverages in the world are coffee and tea. There are many
kinds of coffee beans and tea leaves, which are processed and served in a variety of
ways.
Coffee in different countries may have different amounts of caffeine and different
flavors. For example, coffee from Puerto Rico has less caffeine than Brazilian or
Columbian coffee. Sometimes coffee has little caffeine because the beans are
processed to remove most of the caffeine. In Germany, France and New Orleans,
Louisiana, chicory is added to the coffee to give it a special flavor.
There are three major ways to prepare coffee. American coffee makers use a filter.
The two most common types are the drip machine and the percolator. A percolator
has a metal filter. A drip pot uses a paper filter and produces a purer pot of coffee.
Italian coffee, espresso, is made in an espresso machine which uses steam pressure
to produce a thick, powerful drink. Turkish coffee is made in a special metal pot with
a long handle. The coffee is placed in the boiling water in the pot. It is heated until it
rises. Then the pot is removed from the heat until the coffee goes down. This
procedure is repeated three times.
Tea is the world's most common drink. There is only one tea plant, but there are
many different varieties of tea. These varieties can be divided into two main types:
green and black. Green tea is picked and then processed immediately. Black tea is
processed about 24 hours after it is picked. The varieties of tea are different mainly
because they come from different places. Furthermore, each variety is grown in
different soil, and its leaves are picked at different times. Most of the world's tea is
grown in China, India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Some countries have particular tea-drinking customs and habits. In Japan, tea is
served during a formal tea ceremony. Englishmen frequently add milk to their tea.
Iced tea is a popular summer drink in the United States. It was invented in St. Louis,
Missouri, in 1904 during the World's Fair. Richard Blechynden, an Englishman, was
trying to sell hot tea at the fair. Because the weather was very warm, the public did
not want hot tea. Blenchynden added ice to the tea and found that he had invented a
popular drink.
GLOSSARY:
Additional Reading
SOME ADVICE ON FOOD SHOPPING
The average family spends about one-sixth of its income on food. Because food is
expensive, it is important to spend money wisely when you shop. A careful shopper
can prepare nutritious and delicious meals inexpensively. Here are some hints to
help you shop better.
Buy only the food that you need. There are several ways to avoid buying extra food.
First, make a shopping list before you go to the store. Then, when you are at the
store, follow your list carefully. Furthermore, do not go shopping if you are hungry.
When you are hungry, foods look really delicious and you want to buy more than you
need. Finally, go shopping alone if you can. If you shop with young children, they
often ask you to buy them unnecessary food like candy.
When you have a selection, choose the least expensive brand of a product. There
are three points to remember when you buy a can of tomatoes, for example. First,
look at the advertisements in the newspaper to see if your supermarket is having a
"special" on canned tomatoes. In addition, when you are in the store, you should
check the price per pound of tomatoes. Sometimes you save money if you buy the
larger size can; sometimes however, you do not. Third, remember that a grade A
product or a more expensive product is not necessarily more healthful than grade B
or a less expensive product. Grade A tomatoes may look better, but all canned
tomatoes have the same nutrients.
Shoppers seem to have special difficulties when they buy fresh fruit and vegetables.
There are several things to consider when buying fresh foods. Because fresh foods
spoil if they are not used, you have to buy the correct amount for the number of
people you are serving. Remember that a pound of some vegetables serves more
people than a pound of other vegetables. For instance, a pound of peas in their pod
is only two to three servings, but a pound of string beans is enough for six servings.
In addition, plan to use fresh foods that are in season because fresh foods are
generally less expensive when they are in season. Finally, choose fruit and
vegetables that have a bright, fresh color. A good color is often a sign that the food
has a lot of vitamins. Careful shoppers try to get as many nutrients as they can for
each dollar.