Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Keeping Your Digestive System Healthy
Caption: The fiber in complex carbohydrates--grain, fruit, and vegetables--can help your digestive system stay healthy!
Your digestive system is an important part of your body. Its job is to take the food that you eat and turn it into nutrients that your body can use. If your digestive system isn't working properly, your body won't be at its best, either. There are several things that you can do to help keep your digestive system healthy. One thing that you can do is to eat more slowly. Sit down to eat your meals. Take time to enjoy eating with your family. Make sure that you chew your food well. Food must be broken down before your body can use it. Your teeth do a lot of the work when you chew. If you don't chew your food well, your stomach has to work much harder to break the food down. Also, try to eat at the same time every day. Your digestive system works best when you follow a routine. Try not to skip meals. Even people who are on a diet shouldn't skip meals. Skipping meals does not help people lose weight. It can cause them to eat more at their next meal. This is not what is best for the digestive system. It is better to eat several small meals throughout the day.
