The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Food items are categorized based on the predominant nutrient they provide, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, or minerals.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Pulses (e.g., gram, moong, tuvar dal) and soyabean are rich sources of proteins. They are considered essential "body-building foods," especially in vegetarian diets.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Groundnuts and nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts) are primarily sources of fats and proteins. They are not significant sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is predominantly found in citrus fruits (lemon, orange), amla, tomato, and green leafy vegetables.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Sweet potato and sugarcane are rich sources of carbohydrates. Sweet potato provides starch, while sugarcane provides sucrose (sugar). They are "energy-giving foods" and contain negligible amounts of protein.
Key Takeaway: It is crucial to distinguish between energy-giving foods (rich in carbohydrates and fats), body-building foods (rich in proteins), and protective foods (rich in vitamins and minerals).