Eat Smart, Stay Strong

Why Food Matters?

Food, the delicious things we eat every day, can actually make a big difference in how we feel! Think of your body like a cricket bat. The better the wood, the harder you can hit the ball, right? The food you eat is like the wood for your body. The right kind of food gives you the energy to focus in school, play kabaddi with your friends, or even just have the stamina to chase that pesky monkey stealing your mangoes!

The clock ticked loudly, each tick like a hammer on Rohan's head. Tomorrow was his Chemistry exam, the big one. He'd studied hard all week, his brain stuffed with facts like a backpack overflowing with books.

But tonight, Rohan was a mess. His stomach growled, a loud rumble echoing in the quiet room. Studying made him forget dinner. All he had was a bag of stale chips and a warm cola. Not exactly the champion's meal he needed before a battle.

Rohan took a bite of a chip. Yuck! It tasted like cardboard, doing nothing for his hungry tummy. He sipped the cola hesitantly. The fizzy sweetness distracted him for a moment, a quick burst of energy that fizzled out like a firecracker. Then came the crash.

His eyelids got heavy, like someone hung weights on them. The colorful charts on his textbook blurred into a mess. His brain, once a super-fast racetrack, became a giant traffic jam. Important elements and reactions he'd memorized all week were stuck, refusing to come out.

Rohan groaned, burying his face in his hands. He felt sluggish and frustrated. Being hungry made his exam stress even worse. He thought about his friend Riya, always full of energy. She talked about eating healthy before exams, but Rohan didn't listen. Now, he wished he had.

Suddenly, a memory popped into his head. It was Diwali night, the air buzzing with fireworks and the sweet smell of jalebis. His stomach rumbled again, this time a sharp pain.

Rohan remembered his Grandma's words, spoken in her gentle voice as she served steaming bowls of khichdi, "Good food gives you strength to celebrate, like good fuel makes the diyas burn bright." He realized his chips and cola were useless, like a wet matchstick. The diyas needed the right fuel to burn brightly, and his brain needed the right food to work well.

Determined to fix things, Rohan grabbed his wallet and water bottle, heading out into the cool night. The streets were alive with sights and smells, a world away from his earlier desperation.

A stall selling hot samosas caught his eye. Riya mentioned protein for focus, and these potato-filled pastries seemed perfect. He got a glass of cool buttermilk, a refreshing change from the sugary cola.

As he ate the delicious samosa and drank the buttermilk, Rohan felt a change. The traffic jam in his brain started to clear. He slowly remembered the equation he'd been struggling with earlier. He spent the next hour walking, the fresh air clearing his head and the food giving him a much-needed boost.

Back home, Rohan felt focused again. He reviewed his notes, the chemistry stuff making sense now. He even did a practice test, feeling confident as he answered the questions. The sluggishness was gone, replaced by a calm alertness. He finally understood what Riya meant. Food wasn't just for filling your stomach, it was fuel for your body to be its best.

The next day, Rohan walked confidently into the exam hall. Some students might have been fueled by last-minute cramming and sugary drinks, but Rohan felt different. He felt strong, focused, and ready to conquer the exam.

As he tackled the questions, the chemistry stuff wasn't confusing anymore. It was clear and easy, the connections between things made sense. Every answer came easily, his brain working smoothly. When the bell finally rang, Rohan emerged with a feeling of accomplishment. He didn't just pass the exam, he aced it.