Classification of Food – Food and Their Source Basic 4 Home Economics Lesson Note

What is Food Classification?

Food classification means grouping foods based on where they come from or what nutrients they provide to our body.

Classification by Source

1. Plant Foods

Foods that come from plants (trees, crops, vegetables)

Grains and Cereals:

• Rice: From rice plants
• Maize (Corn): From corn plants
• Wheat: From wheat plants (for bread)
• Millet: From millet grass
• Oats: From oat plants

Fruits:

• Tree fruits: Mangoes, oranges, apples, coconuts
• Bush fruits: Bananas, plantains, pineapples
• Vine fruits: Grapes, watermelons
• Ground fruits: Strawberries (where available)

Vegetables:

• Leafy vegetables: Spinach, lettuce, water leaf, bitter leaf
• Root vegetables: Carrots, radishes, onions
• Fruit vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, okra, cucumber
• Stem vegetables: Celery, asparagus

Legumes (Beans):

• Cowpeas: Black-eyed peas
• Groundnuts: Peanuts
• Soybeans: For protein
• Green beans: Fresh pod beans

Nuts and Seeds:

• Tree nuts: Cashews, walnuts
• Seeds: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
• Oil seeds: Palm kernels, sesame seeds

Root and Tuber Crops:

• Yam: From yam plants
• Cassava: From cassava plants
• Sweet potato: From sweet potato vines
• Irish potato: From potato plants

2. Animal Foods

Foods that come from animals (land and water animals)

Meat:

• Beef: From cattle/cows
• Goat meat: From goats
• Chicken: From chickens
• Pork: From pigs
• Turkey: From turkeys

Fish and Seafood:

• Fresh water fish: From rivers and lakes (catfish, tilapia)
• Ocean fish: From the sea (mackerel, sardines)
• Shellfish: Crabs, prawns, lobsters
• Dried fish: Preserved fish

Dairy Products:

• Milk: From cows, goats
• Cheese: Made from milk
• Butter: Made from cream
• Yogurt: Fermented milk

Eggs:

• Chicken eggs: From chickens
• Duck eggs: From ducks
• Guinea fowl eggs: From guinea fowls

Other Animal Products:

• Honey: From bees
• Snails: Local protein source

3. Processed Foods

Foods that have been changed from their original form

From Plants:

• Flour: From grinding grains
• Bread: Made from wheat flour
• Garri: Made from cassava
• Palm oil: Extracted from palm fruits
• Fruit juices: Squeezed from fruits

From Animals:

• Canned meat: Preserved animal meat
• Dried fish: Fish preserved by drying
• Cheese: Processed from milk
• Sausages: Made from meat

Mixed Sources:

• Biscuits: Made from flour, milk, eggs
• Ice cream: Made from milk, sugar, fruits
• Cake: Made from flour, eggs, milk, sugar

Classification by Function (What They Do in Body)

1. Energy-Giving Foods (Go Foods)

Foods that give us energy for activities

Main Sources:

• Carbohydrate-rich foods: Rice, yam, bread, cassava
• Sugary foods: Honey, sugar, sweet fruits
• Fatty foods: Oil, butter, nuts

Function:

• Provide energy for running, playing, thinking
• Fuel for all body activities

2. Body-Building Foods (Grow Foods)

Foods that help us grow and build strong muscles

Main Sources:

• Protein-rich foods: Meat, fish, eggs, beans
• Dairy products: Milk, cheese
• Nuts: Groundnuts, cashews

Function:

• Build muscles and tissues
• Help children grow taller and stronger
• Repair damaged body parts

3. Protective Foods (Glow Foods)

Foods that protect us from diseases and keep us healthy

Main Sources:

• Fruits: Oranges, mangoes, guavas (rich in vitamins)
• Vegetables: Spinach, carrots, tomatoes
• Water: For all body functions

Function:

• Provide vitamins and minerals
• Boost immune system
• Keep skin, eyes, and organs healthy

Food Sources in Nigeria

Common Nigerian Plant Foods:

• Staples: Rice, yam, cassava, plantain, maize
• Vegetables: Spinach, okra, tomatoes, onions, pepper
• Fruits: Oranges, mangoes, pineapples, bananas, pawpaw
• Legumes: Beans, groundnuts, soybeans

Common Nigerian Animal Foods:

• Meat: Beef, goat, chicken, bush meat
• Fish: Catfish, mackerel, sardines, dried fish
• Dairy: Fresh milk (mainly from cattle)
• Others: Eggs, snails, grasscutters

Traditional Processed Foods:

• From cassava: Garri, fufu, cassava flour
• From yam: Yam flour, dried yam chips
• From maize: Pap (ogi), roasted corn
• From palm fruit: Palm oil, palm wine

Importance of Knowing Food Sources

1. Food Security

• Local production: Know what foods we can grow in Nigeria
• Seasonal availability: Understand when different foods are available
• Storage and preservation: Know how to keep foods fresh

2. Economic Benefits

• Cost-effective choices: Local foods often cost less
• Support local farmers: Buying local foods helps our economy
• Reduce imports: Less dependence on foreign foods

3. Nutritional Planning

• Balanced meals: Combine plant and animal foods
• Variety: Choose from different sources for complete nutrition
• Cultural foods: Include traditional nutritious foods

4. Environmental Awareness

• Sustainable choices: Some food sources are better for environment
• Seasonal eating: Eat foods when they naturally grow
• Reduced transportation: Local foods need less transport

EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Food classification means ________ foods based on their source or nutrients
2. ________ foods come from trees, crops, and vegetables
3. ________ foods come from animals on land and in water
4. ________ foods have been changed from their original form

Exercise 2: True or False

1. All foods come from the same source ____
2. Rice is a plant food ____
3. Fish is an animal food ____
4. Bread is a processed food ____

Exercise 3: Match Food with Source

Draw lines to connect each food with its source:

• Rice → Animal source
• Fish → Plant source
• Mangoes → Processed source
• Bread → Plant source

Exercise 4: Food Sources

Write “P” for Plant, “A” for Animal, or “Pr” for Processed:

1. Yam ____
2. Chicken ____
3. Garri ____
4. Oranges ____
5. Milk ____

Exercise 5: Choose the Right Answer

Circle the correct answer:

1. Cassava comes from: Plants / Animals
2. Eggs come from: Plants / Animals
3. Palm oil is: Natural plant food / Processed food
4. Beans are: Plant proteins / Animal proteins