An Introduction to Nutrition

A Thematic Unit
Teaching and Leadership 819
8 December 2004
Ivette Dunaway
Peggy Porter
And
Sara Jane Richardson

Table of Contents
Overview

Lesson 1

How does Nutrition Apply to Me?

Lesson 2

The Food Pyramid

Game

Name that Food

20

Lesson 3

The Food You Eat

22

Lesson 4

Why Do We Really Need Food?

27

Lesson 5

Evaluating Food Labeling

37

Lesson 6

Follow up to The Food You Eat

22

Internet

Bag a McMeal

41

Lesson 7

Nutrition on a Budget

43

Song

Shortenin Bread

44

TESOL ESL Standards

46

Resources

50

Appendix Self Evaluation

51

Overview of An Introduction to Nutrition Thematic Unit

Team Members: Ivette Dunaway, Peggy Porter, and Sara Jane Richardson
An Introduction to Nutrition is designed to teach students how to apply concepts of
nutrition to their lives. They will become familiar with the elements of the Food Pyramid
and how to interpret it. Through a journaling activity, the students will track their own
eating habits and learn how to evaluate its nutritional contents. They will learn how the
components of the food they eat function in their bodies. They will learn how to evaluate
food labeling in order to make informed decisions when purchasing food. Through a
shopping exercise, the students will practice applying their nutritional knowledge to an
authentic activity.
The lessons in this unit are designed to create relevancy to the multicultural makeup of
the student population. Students will be able to utilize knowledge from their own cultural
background while participating in the activities. The activities create opportunities for
individual work as well as small group and large group interaction. Students have an
opportunity to work with their families at home on several projects where they can apply
what they have learned in their daily lives.
Goals:
Content Students will gain knowledge pertaining to nutrition and skills to apply the
knowledge to their everyday lives.
Language Students will communicate in social and academic situations as they are
introduced to the concept of nutrition.
Learning Strategies Students will use songs, games, and an Internet activity to
enhance learning within the content area. They will also be involved in creating visual
aids to make the material more relevant and enrich their learning experience. By
planning a meal using the Food Pyramid and a budget, students will integrate nutritional
knowledge and math skills to produce a realistic meal plan.
Context:
Grade Level: 9-10th grade
Type of class: Regular classroom instruction in a high school health class
Native Language: Varied
English Proficiency Levels: Varied

How does Nutrition Apply to Me?

Lesson 1
Lesson Objectives:
Students will gain knowledge, which will assist them in being able to define nutrition and
identify how it applies to their lives.
*Standards
Goal 1 1, 2, 3
Goal 2 1, 2, 3
Goal 3 1, 3
Materials Needed:
One copy of My guide to nutrition and the Student Self-Evaluation** needs to be
provided for each student.
Bellringer:
1. Write the following words on the board or overhead projector: diet, nutrient,
(RDA) Recommended Dietary Allowance, The Food Pyramid, calorie, fat,
protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Ask students to brainstorm about what the words mean and how they might apply
to the word nutrition.
Procedures:
1. Students will take the Student Self-Evaluation to assess their own personal
knowledge of nutrition and health.
2. Introduce concepts, which encompass the role of nutrition in their everyday lives.
Definition of nutrition
Why does one eat?
Nutrition throughout ones life.
3. The information can be presented in lecture format in which the students take
notes using My guide to nutrition. The lecture and discussion should include
references to prior knowledge from the bellringer as well and the self-evaluation
to establish relevance to the information being presented.
4. An alternative to step 3: Create a handout with the information, which could be
read as a class and discussed.
Evaluation:
Students will be asked to establish goals for themselves based on their self-evaluation
results and the knowledge they have gained from the lesson.
*refer to ESL standards document
** Student Self-Evaluation is located in the appendix

My Guide to Nutrition
1. What is nutrition?

2. What is a nutrient?

3. What role does physical health play into nutrition?

4. What role does Culture play into nutrition?

5. What role does ones environment play into nutrition?

6. What role does ones emotion play into nutrition?

7. During your life when is nutrition important?

8. Is nutrition important to teenagers? Why or Why not?

9. How has your culture and family influenced your food habits?

10.

Compare your food habits with those of a friend. Give a few reasons why there

might be differences in habits.

My Guide to Nutrition
Teacher edition
1. What is nutrition? The science of looking at how the body uses nutrients and at
how and why people eat.
2. What is a nutrient? Substances in food that the body needs to function properly.
3. What role does physical health play into nutrition? Eating the right amounts
and kinds of foods gives energy and stamina for active life-styles. A nutritious
diet provides for growth and maintenance of a healthy body and helps keep you
mentally alert.
4. What role does Culture play into nutrition? Your food choices reflect the
culture you live in, as well as your ethnic background and perhaps your religious
beliefs. Teenagers have a culture of their own, too.
5. What role does ones environment play into nutrition? Your food choices are
linked to many factors. Your cultural heritage, your family and social
relationships, media messages, and life-style all influence the foods you like and
choose.
6. What role does ones emotion play into nutrition? Eating is closely tied to
emotions. Eating to relieve tension or boredom can result in overeating.
However, if you lose your appetite when you are upset or bored, you may miss
out on getting essential nutrients. By understanding how eating relates to
emotions, you can make more healthful food choices.
7. During your life when is nutrition important? At every stage in life, good
nutrition is essential for health.
8. Is nutrition important to teenagers? Why or Why not? Nutrition is important
to teenagers because adolescence is the period of the fastest and most growth you
will experience. Adolescence is also a time when your life-style is probably a
very active one. Good nutrition is important to both your growth and the energy
you need to maintain an active life-style.
9. How has your culture and family influenced your food habits?
10.
Compare your food habits with those of a friend. Give a few reasons why
there might be differences in habits.

The Food Pyramid

Lesson 2
Lesson Objectives:
Students will learn be able to identify The Food Pyramid and apply knowledge gained to
their life and diet. Students will identify names, correct portions, food types and basic
nutrients for each food group in the food pyramid.
*Standards
Goal 1 1, 2, 3
Goal 2 1, 2, 3
Goal 3 1, 2, 3
Materials Needed:
Each student will need one copy of the Pyramid Bingo grid, and The Food Pyramid.
Teachers will need to make an over-head of the information given on the pyramid and
daily requirements. One copy of The Pyramid Quiz is needed for each student. All
materials for Name that Food are needed as well.
Procedures:
1. As an introduction activity give students a copy of The Food Pyramid, and the
Pyramid Bingo grid. Have students play the bingo game to introduce themselves
to all the different levels and parts of the pyramid.
2. Go over with an over-head projector the information given on The Food Pyramid.
When students seem comfortable with the information and have had a chance to
review a couple of days, administer The Food Pyramid Quiz.
3. As a multi-culture activity give students an opportunity to discuss how The Food
Pyramid recommendations are different than those of their native country.
4. For the follow-up activity before the next lesson, have students play the game,
Name that Food.
5. An alternative activity with the Internet, have students research food pyramids of
their native countries and compare with the American Food Pyramid.
Evaluation:
Students will pass The Food Pyramid Quiz with an 80% or better. From the game, Name
that Food students will demonstrate knowledge of different types of food and where
they would fit on The Pyramid.
*refer to ESL standards document

Food Pyramid

The Food Pyramid

from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health

The Food Pyramid Quiz

Fill in the Pyramid correctly with the five food groups and the correct amount of servings
you need from each group for one day. With the 5 blanks at the bottom of the page fill
out one food from your own country that would fit in each of the five food groups.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

TEACHER QUESTIONS FOR PYRAMID BINGO

1. Which food group contains cheeses? MILK

2. Which food group contains peas, carrots, and corn? VEGETABLES
3. Which food group contains rice? GRAIN
4. Which food group contains peanut butter? MEAT
5. Which food group contains oranges, apples and bananas? FRUIT
6. How many servings of the milk group should you eat daily? 2-3 SERVINGS
7. How many servings of the meat group should you eat daily? 2-3 SERVINGS
8. How many servings of the vegetable group should you eat daily? 3-5 SERVINGS
9. How many servings of the fruit groups should you eat daily? 2-4 SERVINGS
10. How many servings of breads and cereals should you eat daily? 6-11 SERVINGS
11. What is one serving of the milk group? 1 cup milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of
cheese
12. What is one serving of the meat group? 1 1/2 to 3 oz. of cooked lean meat, poultry, or
fish, 1/2 cup cooked beans, 2 Tbsp. peanut butter
13. What is one serving of the vegetable group? 1/2 cup chopped raw or cooked
vegetables, 1 cup leafy raw vegetables
14. What is one serving of the fruit group? 1 piece of fruit or melon, 3/4 cup juice, 1/2
cup canned fruit, 1/4 cup dried fruit
15. What is one serving of the bread group? 1 slice bread, 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta,
1/2 cup cooked cereal, 1 oz. ready-to-eat cereal

Give each student a copy of the Pyramid Bingo grid. Students will fill in the boxes
with words and phrases from The Food Pyramid.

10

11

Food Guide Pyramid

What is the Food Guide Pyramid?
The Food Guide Pyramid is a graphic guide of what to eat each day. It will help people
follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Food Guide Pyramid was developed
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and supported by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. The Dietary Guidelines provide advice for better health.
Following the Dietary Guidelines can help reduce your chances of developing certain
diseases. The guidelines are designed for healthy Americans aged 2 and up.

How is this guide different from the guides I have used in the past?
The Food Guide Pyramid is a new graphic to help people think about healthy eating. The
recommended number of servings for some of the food groups is different on the Pyramid
than the recommendations found on other food guides, such as the "Basic Four." The
Pyramid is designed to help people get the nutrients they need and avoid too much fat or
sugar.

Why should I use the Food Guide Pyramid?

It is based on current research about diet and health and was developed by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. The Food Guide Pyramid should be used with students in
place of the "Basic Four" or other food guides you may be using.

What do the different pieces of the pyramid mean?

The Food Guide Pyramid emphasizes eating foods from the five major food groups
shown in the pyramid's three lower levels. None of these major food groups is more
important than another - for good health, you need them all. Each of these food groups
provides some, but not all, of the nutrients you need. Foods in one group can't replace
those in another. Fats, oils and sweets are at the Pyramid tip. People should use these
sparingly.

Why is there a range of servings for each food group?

The number of servings people need depends on their age, sex, size, and activity level.
For example, an active male teenager needs more servings than a less active, older
woman. Almost everyone should have at least the lowest number of servings in each
range. Preschool children need the same variety of foods but may need smaller servings.
Be sure, however, that preschoolers eat or drink two full servings from the milk group
daily.

Why are the recommended number of servings for the bread, fruit, and
vegetable groups higher on this guide than on others I have used in the
past?
Most people need to eat more of these foods for the complex carbohydrates (starches),
vitamins, minerals, and fiber they supply. Fruits, vegetables, and foods from the bread
12

group are low in fat, unless they are prepared with added fat as are French fries,
doughnuts, or croissants.

Cookies, cakes, and doughnuts are made with flour. Does that mean they
are part of the breads, cereals, rice and pasta group?
Yes. Foods such as cookies, cakes and doughnuts are part of this group. However, they
are high in fat and sugars and people should eat them only occasionally.

Why are the symbols for fat (a round dot) and added sugar (a triangle) at
the Pyramid tip but also throughout the Pyramid?
Fat and added sugar is found in many types of food and in most of the food groups. Fat
and added sugars are shown mainly in foods from the pyramid tip (fats, oils, and sweets).
But symbols are shown in all food groups as a reminder that some choices in these groups
can be high in fat or added sugar. You need to select wisely from within each food group.
Food Guide Pyramid - A Guide to Daily Food Choices
Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta Group (6-11 servings)
This group includes foods from grains. You need the most servings of these foods each
day since they provide the base of the pyramid. These foods provide complex
carbohydrates (starches), which are an important source of energy, vitamins, minerals,
and fiber. What counts as a serving? 1 slice of bread, 11 ounce of ready to eat cereal, and
1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.
Vegetable Group (3-5 servings)
Vegetables provide vitamins, such as vitamins A and C, and folate, and minerals, such as
iron and magnesium. They are naturally low in fat and also provide fiber. What counts as
1 serving? 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables, 1/2 cup of other vegetables - cooked or chopped
raw; 3/4 cup of vegetable juice.
Fruit Group
Fruits and fruit juices provide important amounts of vitamin A and C and potassium.
They are low in fat and sodium. What counts as a serving? A medium apple, banana, or
orange; 1/2 cup of chopped, cooked or canned fruit; 3/4 cup of fruit juice.
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts (2-3 servings)
Meat, poultry, and fish supply protein, B vitamins, iron, and zinc. Dry beans, eggs, and
nuts are similar to meats in providing protein and most vitamins and minerals. What
counts as a serving? 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish; 1/2 cup of cooked
dry beans, 1 egg, or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (count as 1 ounce of meat). The total
amount of these servings should be the equivalent of 5 to 7 ounces of cooked lean meat,
poultry, or fish per day.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese (2-3 servings)
Milk products provide protein, vitamins, and minerals. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are the
best sources of calcium. What counts as a serving? 1 cup of milk or yogurt; 1 1/2 ounces
of natural cheese; 2 ounces of process cheese, Two servings for most people and servings
for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, teenagers, and young adults to age 24.
13

Fats, Oils, Sweets (use sparingly)

It is recommended that Americans limit fat in their diets to 30 percent of calories. This
amounts to 53 grams of fat in a 1600 calorie diet, 73 grams of fat in a 2200 calorie diet,
and 93 grams of fat in a 2800 calorie diet. All food groups contain low fat choices.
Choosing a diet low in sugar is important for people who have low calorie needs. Sugars
include white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, corn syrup, honey, and molasses; these
supply calories and few other nutrients. Sugar might be added to foods in the groups, but
other foods, which are high in sugar, are candy, soft drinks, jams, and jellies.
How Many Servings is Right for Me?
The pyramid shows a range of servings for each food group. The number of servings that
are right for you depends on how many calories you need, which in turn depends on your
age, sex, size, and how active you are. Almost everyone should have at least the lowest
number of servings in the ranges.
For Young Children
Preschool children need the same variety of foods as older family members do, but may
need fewer calories. The can eat smaller servings which will be less calories, but they
should have at least 2 cups of milk per day.
Combination foods
For mixed foods, do the best you can to estimate the food group servings. For example, a
slice of pizza has servings from the bread group (crust), milk group (cheese) and
vegetable group (tomato).

Dietary Guidelines
The United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the dietary guidelines. They are intended
for people who are healthy and may not apply to special needs diets or conditions.
Good health depends upon many things, including heredity, lifestyle, personality traits,
mental health, attitudes, and environment. Food alone cannot make you healthy, or
guarantee well being. Good eating habits that are based upon the seven guidelines and
exercise can help keep you healthy and improve your health.

The dietary guidelines are:

1. Eat a Variety of Foods:
1. Our bodies need approximately 40 different nutrients. Nutrients are found
in the foods a person eats.
2. No single food item supplies all the nutrients needed by the human body.
3. The greater the variety of food we eat, the less chance we have of
developing a deficiency or excess of any single nutrient.
4. Foods should be selected according to the food pyramid guidelines to
assure a variety of food and a well-balanced diet.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight:
1. Many diseases and disorders are associated with obesity.
1. high blood pressure
14

2. increased levels of blood fats and cholesterol

3. diabetes in older people
4. heart attacks
5. strokes
2. The desirable weight for each person is different, depending upon frame
size and build. Do not compare yourself to others.
3. Improved eating habits help one maintain a healthy weight.
1. Eat slowly.
2. Prepare smaller portions of food.
3. Eat when hungry, allowing 10-20 minutes after eating before
taking more food. This allows your body to deciding if you are
really hungry.
4. Increase everyday physical activities.
5. Do not attempt to decrease weight below your acceptable range. Do no
attempt to lose weight until you are an adult or your growth is complete.
Children who are obese can grow into their weight by regularly exercising
and avoiding or limiting choices from the fats, oils, and sweets group.
Children should not try to lose weight unless they are under close medical
direction.
3. Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
1. Avoid too much fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. (The backs of the Dairy
Council Comparison Cards illustrate the amount of fat contained in each
food. It is a graphic and easy way for students to understand this concept.)
1. Choose lean meat, fish, poultry, dry beans and peas as protein
sources. Lean meats do not leave much fat in a pan when they are
cooked.
2. Moderate your use of eggs and organ meats, such as liver.
3. Limit your intake of butter, cream, hydrogenated margarine,
shortenings, palm and coconut oil, and foods made from such
products.
4. Trim excess fat off meats; take skin off of poultry before cooking,
and rinse hamburger in hot water after cooking to reduce fat
content.
5. Broil, bake, or boil rather than fry when cooking foods. Use fatfree sprays in pans when baking rather than oil or shortening.
6. Read labels carefully to determine both amount and types of fat
contained in foods. (Animal fats are usually higher in saturated fats
than vegetable oils. The exceptions are coconut oil which is 86
percent saturated, palm kernel oil is 81 percent, beef fat is 50
percent, cottonseed is 26 percent, other vegetables oils are less than
20 percent saturated.)
2. Avoiding high fat intake will decrease the chance of heart attack and limit
nutrient-poor calorie intake. Diets low in fat and cholesterol are factors
that we can control when trying t avoid the risks of heart disease.
3. These guidelines are not to prohibit the use of any specific food item.
Moderation is the key.
Assignment: Students are given an allowance of 10 grams of fat for an after
school snack. How much snack can you get for your fat? (Using the backs of the
Diary Council Comparison Cards will make this activity more fun for the
students.)
15

4. Choose a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grain products - Refer to
pyramid and compare numbers and sizes of servings for these food groups. Point
out that the ingredient list on breads must say 'whole wheat flour' if you want to
increase your fiber intake. "Wheat bread" often has coloring, not whole wheat,
added to the white bread recipe.
1. These foods are a major source of energy in the average diet.
2. Carbohydrates contain less than half the number of calories per gram than
fat does.
3. Complex carbohydrate foods, such as breads, cereals, pasta, rice, dry
beans, dry peas, and other vegetables such as potatoes and corn, contain
many essential nutrients.
4. These foods increase dietary fiber.
5. Use sugars only in moderation.
1. It is estimated that every American uses more than 130 pounds of sugar
and sweeteners each year (about 3/4 cup of sugar each day). Too much
sugar is undesirable because it provides calories without nutrients so you
either do not get all the nutrients you need or you have to eat more calories
than you need to get adequate nutrition. Students are amazed to see the
actual amount of sugar contained in foods. You may wish to take a bowl
of sugar, a glass test tube and measuring spoons and demonstrate how
much sugar is contained in some foods they eat. For example: Tell the
class that a can of 7-Up contains 9 teaspoons of sugar. Then measure out
nine teaspoons of sugar into the test tube for them to see how much sugar
they are drinking when then drink 7-Up. If you eat meals or snacks with a
lot of sugar in them, you soon feel hungry again. You get a quick burst of
energy, which fizzles out quickly. Foods without a lot of sugar in them
keep you feeling full longer.
2. Health hazards from eating too much sugar include tooth decay and
weight gain.
3. People should read labels to discover the types and amounts of sugar in a
product. Ask students these multiple-choice questions.
1. How much sugar is in 12 ounces of 7-Up?
1. 9 tsp.
2. 3 tsp.
3. 1 tsp.
4. 30 tsp.
2. How much sugar is in 1/2 cup of Jello?
1. 6 tsp.
2. 2 tsp.
3. 3 tsp.
4. 4 1/2 tsp.
3. How much sugar is in a glazed donut?
1. 3 tsp.
2. 4 Tbs.
3. 6 tsp.
4. 1 tsp.
4. How much sugar is in one large marshmallow?
1. 1 1/2 tsp.
2. 3 tsp.
3. 1/2 tsp.
4. 4 tsp.
16

5. Which of the following contains 3 teaspoons of sugar? (Answer is:

all)
1. 1 Tbs brown sugar
2. 1 Tbs corn syrup
3. 1 Tbs granulated sugar
4. 1 Tbs honey
4. Some tips for avoiding excessive sugar:
1. Use less sugar in all its forms. What are some of the names for
sugar? Sucrose is a simple sugar (draw one link of a chain on the
board). Fructose is the sugar in fruit, (draw 2 links of a chain
joined together). Lactose is the sugar in milk (Three circles hooded
together). Maltose is the sugar from grains such as corn syrup,
brown sugar; molasses, etc. (make a more complicated chain
model). Simple sugars are broken down and digested very quickly.
Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down and digest.
Therefore, if you eat a high sugar content cereal for breakfast, you
will be hungry more quickly than if you eat a cereal with complex
carbohydrates. If you add one teaspoon (5 grams) of sugar to
cereal, you have increased the simple carbohydrates, but you have
not subtracted any of the complex carbohydrates. I you add a
banana, rather than sugar, you are adding more complex
carbohydrates.
2. Eat fewer foods containing sugars, such as candy, soft drinks, ice
cream, cakes, and cookies.
3. Eat more fresh fruits.
5. How often you eat sugar is as important as how much sugar you eat in
relation to tooth decay.
6. Use salt and sodium only in moderation. Salt is made from sodium and
chloride. They are essential elements in limited amounts.
1. Sodium is present in many beverages and foods we eat. One teaspoon of
salt contains 2000 milligrams of sodium. A safe and adequate amount is
1000-3000 milligrams each day. We can get that much sodium without
adding salt to anything.
2. Americans consume much more sodium than their bodies require. (Some
people consume 10 times as much sodium as they need daily.)
3. High blood pressure is a major health risk of excessive sodium use.
4. Ways to reduce sodium intake include:
1. Use less table salt.
2. Eat foods high in sodium only in moderation (potato chips,
pretzels, salted nuts, cheese, pickled foods, and cured meats).
3. Learn to enjoy unsalted, natural flavors of food.
4. Read food labels carefully to determine amounts of sodium
present. Monosodiumglutimate (MSG), backing soda, garlic salt,
and onion salt, soy sauce, bullion, medications, etc., also contains
large amounts of sodium.
7. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
This guideline is written for people over 21 years of age. Depending upon how
much this topic is covered in other classes taught at your school, this may be a
good time to discuss the serious problems related to drinking alcoholic beverages.
High school students should not be drinking alcoholic beverages - it is against the
law.
17

Using the Food Guide Pyramid

The suggested numbers of servings to eat daily from each food group and what counts as
a serving are listed below. Use this guide to help you make decisions on healthy food
choices.
What Counts as One
Food Groups
Suggested Daily Servings
Serving?
Fats, Oils, and
Sweets

Use sparingly. Go easy on fats (butter,

salad dressings, margarine, oils, and
gravy) and sugars (candy, soft drinks,
syrups, and jellies). Use less fat and
sugar in cooking and at the table.

Milk, Yogurt ,
and Cheese

2 to 3 servings (at least 3 servings for

teens and adults through age 24, and for
pregnant and breast feeding women);
two servings for everyone else.

Meat, Poultry,
2 to 3 servings
Fish, Dry Beans,
Eggs, and Nuts

Vegetables

3 to 5 servings

Fruits

2 to 4 servings

18

1 cup of milk or
yogurt
1 1/2 to 2 ounces of
natural cheese (such as
cheddar)
2 ounces of process
cheese (such as
American)
2 to 3 ounces of
cooked lean meat,
poultry or fish
Count 1/2 cup of
cooked dry beans, 1
egg, or 2 tablespoons
of peanut butter as 1
ounce of meat (about
1/3 serving).
1 cup of raw, leafy
vegetables
1/2 cup of other
vegetables, cooked or
raw
3/4 cup of vegetable
juice
1 medium apple,
banana, orange, or
other whole fruit
1/2 cup of chopped,
cooked, or canned
fruit
3/4 cup of fruit juice
(only 100 percent fruit
juice can be counted
as fruit).

Bread, Cereal,
Rich, and Pasta

6 to 11 servings (include foods made

from whole grains).

19

as fruit).
1/4 cup of dried fruit
1 slice of bread or 1
tortilla
1 ounce of read-to-eat
cereal
1/2 cup of cooked
cereal, rice, or pasta
1/2 of a medium
doughnut or croissant
1/2 of a hamburger
bun, bagel, or English
muffin

Name that Food!

Food Pyramid game and activity
Purpose: Students will be able to classify different food items into the correct
categories of the Food Pyramid, identify foods that keep our bodies healthy, and create a
Food Pyramid booklet.
Materials Needed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Construction Paper
Notebook Paper
Magazines or Newspapers
Ribbon
Scissors
Glue
Overhead Picture of the Food Pyramid

Procedure:
1. Display a variety of foods on a table. Display an overhead picture of the Food
Pyramid.
2. Review with students the different levels of the Food Pyramid and the daily servings
we need from each group to keep our bodies healthy.
3. Show the students an example of the booklet they will be making. Explain the
following procedures:
1. Choose two pieces of construction paper, and six sheets of notebook paper.
2. Place the notebook paper between the sheets of construction paper. Punch 3 holes
along the left edge. Tie pieces of ribbon through the holes.
3. On each page, write the name of a Food Pyramid section, and the number of
servings suggested. Glue the appropriate pictures of food items, cut from
magazines or newspapers, to the pages of your booklet.
4. Decorate the cover of your Food Pyramid booklet!
Evaluation:
Hold up each of the food items displayed on the front table. Ask the students to identify
its place on the Food Pyramid.
Each of the students will work independently to cut out food pictures from magazines and
newspapers, and construct a Food Pyramid booklet.
Summarize the information covered in the lesson, and play a game of Name That Food.

20

Name That Food:

Divide the class into several small teams. Each team will need a pencil and a piece of
paper. The teacher selects a section from the Food Pyramid, and a letter of the alphabet.
For example, foods from the bread and cereals group that start with the letter "B." The
students have one minute to record a list of foods. When the minute is up, each group
reads their list. The teacher records the number of items on each group's list, and another
category and letter are selected. The game continues until all sections of the pyramid
have been covered. The group with the highest score wins the game!

21

The Food You Eat

Lesson 3 and 6
Lesson Objective:
To keep a food journal for a 3-day period to see if nutritional requirements are met on a
regular basis.
Materials:

Student Sheets
Journal
Computers with Internet access
Article Stock Up Before You Leave

*Standards
Goal 1 1, 2, 3
Goal 2 1, 2, 3
Goal 3 1, 2, 3
Pre-Lesson Instructions:

This lesson involves students keeping a food journal over a 3-day period. This
lesson may work best if assigned on a Thursday or Friday so that students can
keep their journals over the weekend.
After the students have recorded their food intake for 3 days, they will need to
use a computer with Internet access to find more information about the foods
they have eaten. Reserve time in the computer lab for this part of the activity.
Remind students of your schools Internet usage policy.

Background Information:
To help monitor general food intake while in orbit, astronauts fill out a food frequency
questionnaire. This is like a journal or food diary where crew members record how
many items they have eaten each week. Foods are grouped by categories such as
beverages, poultry, and snacks. This information is shared with the missions flight
surgeon and other nutritionists. This questionnaire gives a basic indication of caloric and
nutritional intake by each crew member. In special cases where exact food consumption
data is required for a scientific experiment, the astronauts would use a bar code reader
and scan the bar code on each package of food consumed. This data is then transferred
to the researchers on the ground. This procedure is more time consuming and is,
therefore, only done when scientifically required.
In this lesson, students will keep their own food journals to see if they are meeting the
requirements for calories, iron, calcium, and vitamin C consumption.
Procedure:
22

Day 1 Introducing the Lesson

1. Read the NASA explorers article, Stock up before You Leave! Discuss the
article as a class, and answer any questions the students may have.
2. Discuss the importance of eating healthy. Ask the students if they think they eat
what their bodies need on a regular basis.
3. Explain that the class will be completing food journals to see if they are indeed
eating what they should to meet some of the requirements their bodies need.
This journal will be similar to the one kept by astronauts when they are staying
on the International Space Station.
4. Hand out the Student Sheets. Go over the instructions as a class. Answer any
questions the students may have.
5. Explain that the class will be keeping a journal of all of the food they eat for the
next 3 days. This information will be kept in a table the students will create in
their journals. There is an example of a possible table design on the Student
Sheets.
6. Remind students that they need only keep track of the foods and the amounts
they eat. The rest of the table will be filled in during class time in the computer
lab.
7. Allow 3 days for the students to collect their data in their journals.
Several Days Later After completing the Food Pyramid and Nutrients Lessons
8. When all students have completed their journals, spend a class period in the
computer lab so that students may find out the information needed to complete
the rest of the food journal table. The Web site needed for this research is listed
on the Student Sheet and in the Related Links section of the Teacher Sheets.
9. Once the students have completed their tables and added up the food intake
amounts for each day, return to the classroom.

Discussion/Wrap-up:

Discuss the students findings as a class. Answer the following questions in

discussion, or have students answer them in their science journals.
o How did your calorie consumption each day compare to the required
values for your age group? Did this surprise you?
o Do you get enough of the vitamins and minerals studied in this lesson?
Does that surprise you?
o If someone doesnt get enough calcium, what could they add to their diet
to help them reach the required amount? What about iron? Vitamin C?
o What can you do to improve your diet?

Extensions:
Look at typical meal deals at fast food restaurants to see if they could be considered healthy
meals.
Have students devise healthy menus for kids their age.
23

*refer to ESL standards document

The Food You Eat Student Sheet
Your assignment is to keep track of everything that you eat for the next 3 days. After you have
completed your food journal, you will analyze the data to see if you have eaten foods that help
you meet the required amounts of calories, calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
Follow the steps below.
In your journal, make a chart like the one below. You will need one of these charts for each day
you are keeping track of your food intake. The apple and milk are examples of the data you will
be recording.
Food (amount)

Calories

Amount
o f Amount of Iron A m o u n t
of
Calcium (%)
(%)
Vitamin C (%)

Apple slices (1 65
cup)

10

2% Milk
(1.5 cups)

53

207

2. During the 3 days of data collection, write down just the foods and amounts in the first
column for each day.
3. After the 3 days, bring the food journal to class with you. Go to the computer lab, and find
the information needed to fill in the rest of the chart. The following Web site will be helpful.
Note that fast food restaurants are listed down the right side of the page for quick reference.
http://www.nutritiondata.com/
4. Now that you have all of the needed information, total up the data in each column. You
should have the total number of calories consumed each day, and the percentages of the
recommended intakes for calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
5. The recommended calories per day for males age 11-14 are 2,500 and for females age 11-24
is 2,200. How did your daily calorie consumption compare?

6. Did you get the recommended amount of calcium, iron, and vitamin C each day? What can
you do to better reach these nutritional goals?

24

Stock Up Before You Leave!

Astronauts cannot make a quick trip to the grocery store while they are orbiting several
hundred miles above Earth, nor can they cruise by a drive-through restaurant. They need
to stock up in advance with the food they will need for their trip. Fortunately for crew
members, the pantry is well-stocked during missions. Since the American and Russian
astronauts share living space aboard the International Space Station (ISS), each
sponsoring country provides half of the food supply.
Food provided by the Russian Space Agency is generally preserved in cans; American
rations are typically freeze-dried or thermostabilized, and packaged in flexible foil or
plastic pouches. Both methods of preservation are shelf stable, which is important, since
there are not food refrigerators or freezers on the Space Station. There are small chillers
for food use, but they are only about the size of a school locker.
American entrees such as steak, chicken teriyaki, and scrambled eggs are joined by
Russian rations including chicken and rice, fish, and ham. Because of the diversity of the
crew, ISS menu planners work hard to offer foods which give crew members a taste of
home. A future goal is to include foods from the other international partners in the ISS
menu. However different, both American and Russian menus feature an assortment of
fruits, vegetables, and snacks to fill a revolving schedule of different meals-currently a
10-day menu cycle. When a menu rotation is complete, the cycle starts again. With a
steady stockpile of canned and dried foods, there is always plenty to eat, but boredom
may affect the way crew members enjoy their meals.
Since the ISS was first inhabited, over 10,000 meals have been eaten, and over 6,804
kilograms (15,000 pounds) of food have been sent to keep the residents healthy. In a 180day mission (6 months), given a 10-day rotating menu, the same meals will be served 18
times-and that is why nutritionists and astronauts take great care when planning the foods
that are sent into space; nobody wants to be bored with their dinner. To add a change of
pace to daily meals, astronauts receive small quantities of extra food items when a Space
Shuttle visits the ISS or when the Russian Progress re-supply space ships docking with
the ISS. These deliveries might include fresh fruit, candy, and cookies. The fresh items
will last for only a short time without refrigeration, but serve as a wonderful change of
pace to the processed shelf stable food.
American food stored on the ISS is prepared at the Space Food Systems Laboratory at the
Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The food is designed to stay fresh for 9 to 12
months. The food currently used in space has greatly improved since the first missions.
The foods eaten now in space resemble many-though not all-foods that average
Americans would find in the shelf-stable foods area of a grocery store. In the early 1960s,
astronauts ate bite-sized cubes of gelatin-coated foods, freeze-dried powders, and semiliquids squeezed from aluminum tubes. What an improvement!
Even with the changes made over the years to space food, there will always be challenges
to eating (and tasting) in orbit. Reduced gravity causes fluid shifts in the body. Fluids
25

normally in the lower body shift to the upper extremities, leaving crew members feeling
congested. This affects how food tastes, just like Earth-bound humans notice differences
when they have a cold.
To compensate for reduced taste sensations, astronauts often season their food with hot
sauce and ketchup to intensify the flavors.
To help monitor general food intake, astronauts fill out a food frequency questionnaire.
This is like a journal or food diary where crew members record how many items they
have eaten each week. Foods are grouped by categories such as beverages, poultry, and
snacks, and this information is shared with the mission's flight surgeon and other
nutritionists. This questionnaire gives a basic indication of caloric and nutritional intake
by each crewmember. In special cases where exact food consumption data is required for
a scientific experiment, the astronauts would use a bar code reader and scan the bar code
on each package of food consumed. This data would then be transferred to the
researchers on the ground. This procedure is more time consuming and is, therefore, only
done when scientifically required.
Regardless of the cuisine, astronauts and menu planners work together to be sure the
meals provide the proper balance of nutrition and calories. Astronauts exercise for more
than 2 hours each day in space, and burn extra calories during fitness workouts. This is
sometimes balanced, however, by lack of muscle exertion for daily activities. The crew
members do not climb stairs, or even use arm muscles to pull open cabinets or slide out
chairs. Therefore, astronauts must stay active to minimize bone loss.
To monitor nutrition and metabolism, blood and urine samples are taken before launch
and after return to measure for proteins and hormones that reveal how well the body is
processing various nutrients. Vitamin and mineral levels are determined, and bone,
muscle, and organ response is recorded as well. These tests help scientists know if
astronauts are obtaining too much, too little, or just the right amount of nutrients.
Learning more about how bodies adapt to spaceflight is important as researchers work to
prepare for flights to the Moon and Mars.
As the missions to the Moon and Mars proceed, space nutrition will change even more.
Astronauts going to Mars may grow some of their own food onboard their space vehicles!
Experiments have already shown that plants can be grown onboard the ISS, and they
could furnish salad greens, fresh vegetables, and grains to be processed into flour-based
products. From tubes of food, to shelf-stable packaging, to growing their own food,
astronauts have adapted-and will continue to adapt-to the advances in technology and
science that help them live healthy lives even while away from the Earth.
Courtesy of NASA's Biological and Physical Research Enterprise
Published by NASAexplores: March 25, 2004

26

Why Do We Really Need Food?

Lesson 4
Time Needed:
Two to three 50-minute class periods.
Lesson Objectives:
The student will develop an understanding of how the body utilizes the food that they eat.
The student will learn the six nutrients their bodies need every day: proteins, fats,
carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals.
*Standards
Goal 1 1, 2, 3
Goal 2 1, 2, 3
Goal 3 1, 2, 3
Procedures:
A. Bellringer
1. Prior to class write the following terms on the board:
Kwashiorkor, Pellagra, Beriberi, Marasmus, Xeropthalmia
2. Ask students to write down the 5 words from the board into their notebooks. Tell
them the words all have something in common and to write down what they think that
might be.
3. After they have time to think and write, ask for volunteers to share their ideas. If they
guess that they are all diseases caused by nutrient deficiencies, then try to elicit how they
learned that, and if they know what deficiencies cause each disorder. If no one guesses,
add scurvy, rickets, and anemia to the list. If they still cant guess, then tell the students
that they are all diseases caused by a lack of a critical nutrient that is normally supplied in
a healthy diet.
B. Presentation of Information on Nutrients
1. Introduce the six groups of nutrients required by the human body; proteins, fats,
carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals, through a brainstorming session. Ask
students if they know what things the body requires. As students give their ideas, place
them on a concept map.
2. Information can then be presented in lecture format in which the students take notes in
their notebooks or using the note-taking guide handout. The lecture should include
references to the prior knowledge that was organized into the concept map and
questioning to elicit further prior knowledge or experiences that will aid in creating
relevance to the information.
Alternative for Step 2. Handouts could be created with the information, which could be
read as a class and discussed.
C. Evaluation
Students will be asked to create an informational brochure or poster that describes a
disease caused by a nutrient deficiency from one of the charts, including signs and
27

symptoms, prevention, and treatment. A public health informational brochure or poster

should be shown as a model.
*refer to ESL standards document

Essential Nutrients Note Taking Guide

1. Proteins
What are they?
Where do they come from?
How does the body use them?
What happens if we dont get enough?
2. Fats
What are they?
Where do they come from?
How does the body use them?
What happens if we dont get enough?
3. Carbohydrates
What are they?
Where do they come from?
How does the body use them?
What happens if we dont get enough?
4. Water
What is it?
Where does it come from?
28

How does the body use it?

What happens if we dont get enough?
Nutrient

Role in Body

Food Sources

29

Deficiency/ Excess

Essential Nutrients Teacher Background Information

1. Proteins
What are they?
Chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks for all body tissues. The body
needs 20 amino acids. The body can manufacture eleven of them, but the other nine,
called essential amino acids, must come from food.
Where do they come from?
Animal sources of proteins such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk contain all of the
essential amino acids and are called complete proteins. Plant proteins are found in
legumes (beans), nuts, and seeds. They are called incomplete proteins because they do
not contain all of the essential amino acids. Some may be combined to form complete
proteins, for example, rice and beans.
How does the body use them?
The body uses proteins mainly for building and maintaining all its tissues. Throughout
life new proteins form constantly to replace damaged or worn-out body cells.
What happens if we dont get enough?
Kwashiorkor is a condition resulting from inadequate protein intake. Early symptoms
include fatigue, irritability, and lethargy. As protein deprivation continues, one sees
growth failure, loss of muscle mass, generalized swelling (edema), and decreased
immunity. A large, protuberant belly is common. The incidence of kwashiorkor in
children in the U.S. is extremely small and it is typically found in countries where there is
drought and famine.
2. Fats
What are they?
Fats are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They come in several
forms depending on how they are put together; saturated, monounsaturated,
polyunsaturated, and Trans fats.
Where do they come from?
Almost all of the food we eat contains some fat. It can be found in meats, milk and milk
products like cheese, butter, and ice cream, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and foods that
are fried or prepared with sauces.
How does the body use them?
Fat provides our most concentrated form of energy and is used to build our own bodys
fats. In the body, fats carry vitamins in the bloodstream and builds cells. Body fat serves
as a source of stored energy, cushions organs, and acts as insulation. Most of the fats our
body needs can be made from carbohydrates, but there are three essential fatty acids that
the body cant make on its own. These need to come from foods that we eat.
What happens if we dont get enough?
A deficiency of certain fats has been linked to neurological disorders such as ADD,
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.
3. Carbohydrates
What are they?
Carbohydrates are molecules made up of carbon and water. They come in three forms:
sugars, starches, and fiber.
30

Where do they come from?

Plants produce most carbohydrates
How does the body use them?
Carbohydrates are the bodys preferred source of energy.

What happens if we dont get enough?

Without enough carbohydrates to maintain blood sugar levels, the body will attack its
own protein. Eventually, the body enters a state of semi-starvation. This condition is
known as marasmus .
4. Water
What is it?
A compound of hydrogen and oxygen that is liquid at temperatures between 0 and 100
degrees Celsius. An extraordinary property of water is its ability to dissolve other
substances. Were it not for the solvent property of water, life could not exist because
water transfers nutrients vital to life in animals and plants.
Where does it come from?
The most important source is drinking water. It is also in other fluids we drink. Fruits
and vegetables have high water content. Most other foods contain some water.
How does the body use it?
Water is vital to every function in the body; about two-thirds of the body is water. It is
the main component of blood and carries nutrients to your cells and carries away waste
products. It also lubricates joints and mucous membranes, allows you to swallow and
digest food, and regulates body temperature through perspiration.
What happens if we dont get enough?
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the body does not get enough water.
Persistent fatigue, lethargy, muscle weakness or cramps, headaches, dizziness, nausea,
forgetfulness, confusion, deep rapid breathing, or an increased heart rate characterizes
dehydration. Dehydration is a very serious; it can quickly cause severe problems and
even death.

31

Vitamins
Vitamins are known as micronutients because they are only required in small amounts.
They work with enzymes in the body by triggering chemical reactions that allow the
digestion, absorption, metabolism and use of other nutrients.
Vitamins are classified into two groups; water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Water soluble vitamins are vitamins that dissolve in water. They are not stored in your
body, so they must be eaten every day. Excess amounts are not usually a problem
because they are excreted.
Vitamin

Role in Body

Food Source

What happens if
you dont get
enough?
(deficiency)

C (ascorbic
acid)

Protects against infection; helps with

formation of connective tissue; helps
wounds heal; maintains elasticity and
strength of blood vessels; acts as glue
to hold cells together
Changes glucose into energy or fat;
helps prevent nervous irritability;
necessary for good appetite

Citrus fruits, tomatoes,

cabbage, broccoli,
potatoes, peppers

Scurvy spontaneous
hemorrhages, slow
wound healing, swollen,
bleeding gums

Whole-grain or
enriched cereals, liver,
yeast, nuts, legumes,
wheat germ
Liver, green leafy
vegetables, milk,
cheese, eggs, fish,
whole grain or enriched
cereals
Yeast, liver, wheat
germ, kidney, eggs,
fish

Beriberi- nerve
impairment, can lead to
heart failure

B1
(thiamine)
B2
(riboflavin)

Transports hydrogen; essential in the

metabolism of carbohydrates, fats,
and proteins; helps keep skin in
healthy condition

Niacin

Maintenance of body tissues; energy

production; needed to utilize
carbohydrates, to synthesize human
fat, and for tissue respiration
Essential to amino acid and
carbohydrate metabolism

B6

Pantothenic
acid

Functions in the breakdown and

synthesis of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins; necessary for synthesis of
some hormones

Folic acid
(folacin)

Necessary for the production of RNA

and DNA and normal red blood cells

B12

Needed for production of red blood

cells and for normal growth

32

Yeast, wheat bran and

germ, liver, kidneys,
meat, whole grains,
fish, vegetables
Liver, kidney, milk,
yeast, wheat germ,
whole grain cereals and
breads, green
vegetables
Liver, nuts, orange
juice, green leafy
vegetable ( but
destroyed by cooking)
Meat, liver, eggs, milk

Photophobia, fissuring
of skin

Pellagra produces skin

lesions. A risk where
corn is the staple
carbohydrate
Dermatitis, nervous
disorders
Neuromotor and
cardiovascular disorders

Birth defects, anemia

Pernicious anemia

Fat-soluble vitamins:
Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins that are transported and absorbed by fat. The body is
able to store fat-soluble vitamins in fatty tissue. Ingesting fat-soluble vitamins in larger
than necessary amounts can cause a build-up to toxic levels.
Vitamin Role in Body

Food Source

Deficiency

Excess

Formation of visual
pigments for eyesight
Helps keep skin soft

Green or yellow
vegetables, milk
products, liver

Xeropthalmia
drying of the cornea
Night-blindness, dry,
flaky skin

Essential for normal

bone and tooth
development,
increases calcium
absorption
Maintenance of red
blood cells,
Synthesis of blood
clotting factors

Synthesized when
skin is exposed to
sunlight, fish oils,
milk products

Rickets -Defective
bone formation

Toxic in large doses,

increase in bone
fractures, birth defects
(polar bear liver
contains toxic amounts
for humans)
Excessive calcium
deposits and mental
retardation in children

Green leafy
vegetables
Green leafy
vegetables,
synthesized by
intestinal bacteria

anemia

E
K

Hemorrhagic disease
in newborns, slow
clotting of blood

High doses may be

toxic to infants
High doses may be
toxic in infants

Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances that are needed to carry out many processes in the
body. They can not be manufactured by the body. Most are required in very small
amounts and, like vitamins, are classified as micronutirents.
Mineral

Role in Body

Food
Sources

Deficiency

Excess

Calcium

Building bones and

teeth, heart muscle
contraction, blood
clotting
Aids in bone
formation, helps to
maintain chemical
balance of blood

Dairy
products, leafy
vegetables

Weakening of
bones

Deposited in the
kidneys forming
kidney stones

Essential for oxygen

transportation in red
blood cells, used in
cellular respiration,
important for resistance
to infection

Liver, meat
shellfish,
peanuts, eggs,
blackstrap
molasses

Phosphorus

Iron

Peas, beans,
milk products,
broccoli,
whole grains

33

Anemia

Can interfere with

calcium absorption
associated with
excess consumption
of carbonated
beverages
Most frequent cause
of poisoning deaths
among children in the
U.S.

important for resistance

to infection
Component of thyroid
hormone which
controls rate of cell
oxidation; helps
maintain proper water
balance
Enzyme activator for
carbohydrate, protein,
and fat metabolism:
important for growth of
cartilage and bone
tissue
Ingredient in several
respiratory enzymes,
needed for
development of red
blood cells
Component of many
enzymes

molasses

Cobalt

An essential part of
Vitamin B12

Fluorine

Essential to normal
tooth and bone
development

Sources of
vitamin B12
such as meats
and milk
products
Drinking
water in some
areas

Molybdenum

Essential for enzymes

that make uric acid

Sodium

Regulates the fluid and

acid-base balance of
the body

Chloride

Associated with
sodium and its
functions; a part of the
gastric juice,
hydrochloric acid
Part of the system that
controls acid-base and
liquid balances;
muscle contraction;
transmission of nerve
impulses
Enzyme activator
related to carbohydrate
metabolism
Component of the
hormone, insulin and
of several amino acids;
builds hair, nails, skin

Iodine

Manganese

Copper

Zinc

Potassium

Magnesium
Sulfur

Iodized salt,
seafood

Goiter swelling of
the thyroid gland

Wheat germ,
nuts, bran,
green leafy
vegetables

Poor bone growth

Manganese madness
generally caused by
inhalation in mining
operations

Kidney, liver,
beans, Brazil
nuts, lentils,
parsley

anemia

Discoloration of the
skin and hair; liver
damage

Shellfish,
meat, milk,
eggs

Legumes,
meat products,
some cereal
grains
Table salt,
milk, meat,
fish, poultry

Brief illness usually

caused by eating food
that was stored in
galvanized (zinccoated) containers

Dental caries

Metabolic disorders
leading to death
nausea,
dizziness, poor
concentration and
muscle weakness

Same as
sodium

Fluorosis pain in the

joints, abnormal
growth of bone in the
joints, spotting of
teeth
Symptoms of gout,
diarrhea, anemia,
slow growth
High blood pressure

Fluid retention

Bananas,
citrus fruits,
readily
available in
most foods

Muscle cramping

Excess can be toxic,

affecting the heart
generally associated
with kidney failure

Readily
available in
most foods
Nuts, dried
fruits, barley,
oatmeal, eggs,
beans

Cardiovascular
problems

Coma and death

also associated with
kidney failure

34

Functions of Nutrients
Sponge or Game
Have students play the game "Functions of Nutrients" as a follow up to the lesson Why
Do We Really Need to Eat. The clues can also be used as sponge activities after
completing the nutrients lesson.
On the following pages you will find a copy of the clues listed below. Copy the clues
and cut them out. Give each student one of the clues. Let students take turns reading the
clue. They then give the correct answer or a bluff answer. For example: The student's
clue is "I help keep your skin soft". The student may answer "protein" (the correct answer
is Vitamin A). If the rest of the students agree, they raise their hands, if they disagree,
they leave their hands down. Being able to give bluff answers eliminates embarrassment
for the students that do not know the correct answers. It also challenges the thinking of
the other students.
1. Tell me a food from the bread and cereal group. Any appropriate food
2. Tell me food that has calcium in it. Any appropriate food
3. I help keep your skin soft. Vitamin A
4. I act as glue to hold cells together. Vitamin C
5. Tell me a food that has vitamin C in it. Any appropriate food
6. I provide insulation and cushion your internal organs. Fat
7. Tell me a source of vitamin K. Green, leafy vegetables or synthesized by intestinal bacteria
8. I help your teeth and bones grow strong. Calcium or Vitamin D
9. Tell me a food from the fats and sweets group. Any appropriate answer
10. I help your body heal if you get a cut or a scratch. Vitamin C
11. I carry oxygen to the cells. Iron
12. Tell me a food that has vitamin A in it. Any appropriate food
13. I help you have healthy eye tissues. Vitamin A
14. Tell me a food from the milk group. Any appropriate food
15. I am your bodys most important source of energy. Carbohydrates
16. I protect you from infection. Vitamin C
17. Tell me a food that has vitamin D in it. Any appropriate food
18. I help protect your teeth from getting cavities. Fluorine
19. Tell me a food from the meat group. Any appropriate food
20. I am a vitamin that helps your body use energy. B Vitamins
21. I am a carbohydrate that cannot be digested, yet is very important to your health. Fiber
22. I am a nutrient that is constantly being formed in your body to replace damaged or worn out body cells.
Protein

35

23. Tell me a food that has iron in it. Any appropriate food
24. I am a vitamin that helps your blood clot. Vitamin K
25. Tell me a food that has B vitamins in it. Any appropriate food

1. Tell me a food from the bread and cereal group.

2. Tell me food that has calcium in it
3. I am a vitamin that helps keep your skin soft.
4. I act as glue to hold cells together.
5. Tell me a food that has vitamin C in it.
6. I provide insulation and cushion your internal organs
7. Tell me a source of vitamin K.
8. I help your teeth and bones grow strong
9. Tell me a food from the fats and sweets group
10. I help your body heal if you get a cut or a scratch.
11. I carry oxygen to the cells
12. Tell me a food that has vitamin A in it.
13. I help you have healthy eye tissues.
14. Tell me a food from the milk group
15. I am your bodys most important source of energy.
16. I protect you from infection.
17. Tell me a food that has vitamin D in it.
18. I help protect your teeth from getting cavities.
19. Tell me a food from the meat group.
20. I am a vitamin that helps your body use energy
21. I am a carbohydrate that cannot be digested, yet is very important to your health.

36

22. I am a nutrient that is constantly being formed in your body to replace damaged or
worn out body cells.
23. Tell me a food that has iron in it
24. I am a vitamin that helps your blood clot.
25. Tell me a food that has B vitamins in it.

Evaluating Food Labeling

Lesson 5
Lesson Objectives:
Students will learn what information is available on food labels and how to interpret that
information.
*Standards
Goal 1 1, 2, 3
Goal 2 1, 2, 3
Goal 3 1, 3
Materials Needed:
Empty food packages or food labels, which include ingredients and nutrition information.
A copy of the Labeling Report Card is needed for each student.
Bellringer:
1. Write the names of several food additives on the board such as sodium benzoate,
BHT, xanthan gum, and carageenan.
2. Ask students to brainstorm about what the words mean and what these items would be
used for.
3. During the brainstorm session, introduce the fact that they are all food additives and
that you will commonly see them listed in the ingredients of packaged foods.
Sodium benzoate is a preservative in soft drinks.
BHT is used as a preservative in cereals; it is an antioxidant that retards rancidity
in oils.
Xanthan gum is the product of bacterial fermentation. It is commonly used as a
stabilizer and thickener in dairy products.
Carageenan is also a thickening and stabilizing agent. It is obtained from
seaweed.
4. Introduce the lesson to the students. They will be looking at food packaging and/or
labels to evaluate the nutrition information and interpret the ingredients.
Procedures:
1. Students will bring a food label or package to class. These should be supplemented
with labels and packages that the teacher has collected so that foods from all of the food
groups are represented and that there will be several for each student to evaluate.
2. Have all students look at their food package or label, and read it over.
3. Ask which of the six essential nutrients are listed. Write all student answers on the
board.
37

4. Ask students how they think the ingredients are listed.

5. Present the information, Whats on a Food Label? This can be copied onto an
overhead or made into a student handout.
6. Discuss the information on food labels. Ask if the guidelines are useful or beneficial,
why or why not?
7. Give each student a copy of the Labeling Report Card and additional labels or
packages so that they have three to use to fill out the report card.
Assessment:
1. The student brought a nutritional label.
2. The student must complete the Labeling Report Card activity.
*refer to ESL standards document

38

Whats on a Food Label?

All food labels contain the name of the product, net contents, and the name and
address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Food coloring must be listed
separately.
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is specific for each product. It allows
information on the product to be scanned by a computer to provide information
for suppliers and retailers.
Religious symbols are used to show that the product complies with religious
dietary guidelines
1. A K within a circle means it complies with Jewish dietary laws and was
processed under the supervision of a rabbi.
2. A U within a circle means it complies with Jewish dietary laws and is
authorized by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
3. The word Parev next to these symbols means the food does not contain
any meat or dairy ingredients.
R and C in a circle are legal symbols.
1. The R means the trademark of the product is registered with the U.S.
Patent Office
2. The C means the text and art content of the label is protected under U.S.
copyright laws.

Nutrition Labels
Nutrition Labels have voluntary and mandatory (in bold) components, which must appear in the
following order:
Total calories
Calories from fat
Calories from saturated fat
Total fat
Saturated fat
Polyunsaturated fat
Monounsaturated fat
Cholesterol
Sodium
Potassium
Total carbohydrate
Dietary fiber
Soluble fiber
Insoluble fiber
Sugars
Sugar alcohol

39

Other carbohydrate
Protein
Vitamin A
Percent of vitamin A present as beta-carotene
Vitamin C
Calcium
Iron
Other essential vitamins and minerals

Name______________________________________Date_______________Hour______

Labeling Report Card

Use three food labels from the same food group to complete the following chart.
Name of Item
1.
1. What is the serving size of
this item?
2. Do you think the serving
size is adequate?
3. How many calories are in
one serving?
4. How many calories are from
fat?
5. How many milligrams from
sodium are in one serving?
6. How much iron is provided
by this product?
7. What percentage of vitamin
A is in this product?
8. What percentage of vitamin
C is in this product?
9. Are there any ingredients
listed that you dont recognize?
If so, what are they?
10. Is information clearly listed
for people with food allergies?
11. Give a grade to each label

2.

3.

1. Which product do you think is the most nutritious?

2. Which product do you think is the least nutritious?
3. Do you think that you will use label information when choosing which foods to buy?
Why or why not?

40

4. What did you learn by completing this chart?

Name______________________________Date____________Hour___

Bag a McMeal!

41

Protein (g)

Dietary
Fiber (g)

Carbohydra
tes (g)

Sodium
(mg)

Cholesterol
(mg)

Trans Fat
(g)

Total
Fat (g)

Calories

Menu Item
Indicate if breakfast (B),
lunch (L), dinner (D), or
snack(S).

Saturated
fat (g)

Many people rely on fast food to feed themselves and their families on busy
days. Is this a good idea? Choose a days worth of meals from McDonalds
and see for your self.
1. Go to http://app.mcdonalds.com/bagamcmeal
2. Click on start
3. Choose items for your breakfast. When you have all of the items for
your breakfast, click on Nutrition Facts. Record your nutrition information
in the table below.
4. Repeat for lunch, dinner and a snack.
5. Be sure to record each meals totals and % Daily Value.

Total Calories and

% Daily Values for
all meals

Evaluation
1. How many calories would you have eaten this day?________
An average teenager needs 1,400 calories each day.

2. In which categories were the % daily values over 100%?

3. In which categories were the % daily values less than 100%?

4. Did you choose enough servings from all of the groups in the
Food Pyramid? If not, which ones are missing?

5. Do you think that you would be able to maintain a healthy diet

by eating fast food? Why or why not?

42

Nutrition on a Budget
Lesson 7
Time Needed:
One 50-minute class period
Lesson Objectives:
The students will apply nutritional concepts to developing a menu for a family.
The students will practice planning a menu within a budget.
*Standards
Goal 1 1, 2, 3
Goal 2 1, 2, 3
Goal 3 1, 2, 3
Materials Needed:
1. A large supply of grocery store advertisements, a copy of the Food Pyramid, poster
board, glue, markers or colored pencils for each group.
2. Teacher needs to create various types of families to assign to groups. Examples
Two parents, one teenager, one infant; one parent, three teenagers. For more advanced
groups the families can include a vegetarian, cultural or religious dietary restrictions, a
member with a food allergy (peanuts, milk, eggs), or some details about members that are
picky eaters. The teacher should also assign a dollar amount for a weekly food budget
for each family so that several socioeconomic levels will be represented.
Procedure:
1. Students will form cooperative groups of three or four students.
2. Each group will be assigned a family that they will be shopping for and given a food
budget for the family.
3. The groups will plan a weeks worth of meals for the family and use the grocery store
ads to shop for the week. Menus should include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for
seven full days and meet the needs of the individual family members. They should also
meet the daily nutritional requirements as identified on the Food Pyramid.
4. The groups will cut and paste the food items on the poster board. They will also write
the number of each item they purchased and the cost. The completed poster should
include a description of the family, the allowed budget, and the total amount spent.
5. Groups will present their completed poster to the class.
Evaluation:
1. Completion of poster and group presentation.
43

2. All menus are balanced according to the Food Pyramid.

*refer to ESL standards document

Shortenin Bread
Song Activity
In this song, a doctor tells the mother of three sick children that she needs to give them
shortenin bread. Listen to the song and then read the recipe.
Shortnin' Bread
Paul Chaplain
[Afro-American traditional]
Chorus:
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Three little children layin' in the bed
Two were sick and the other 'most dead
Sent for the doctor, the doctor said
"Feed those children on shortnin' bread"
Chorus
When those children layin' in the bed
Heard that talk about shortnin' bread
They popped up well and started to sing
Skipping 'round the room doing the pigeon wing
Chorus
Put on the skillet
Put on the lid
Mamma's going to make some shortnin' bread
That's not all she's going to do
Mamma's going to cook us some cocoa too
Chorus
44

I snuck to the kitchen, picked up the lid

I filled my pockets full of shortnin bread
I winked at the pretty little girl and said
"Baby, how'd you like some shortnin bread"
Chorus
Got caught with the skillet
Got caught with the lid
Got caught with my mouth full of shortnin' bread
Six months for the skillet, six months for the lid
Six months in the jail eatin' shortnin bread
Chorus
Shortnin' Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup molasses
1 egg, slightly beaten
Combine first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend well and set aside. Dissolve
soda in buttermilk and set aside. Combine butter and molasses in a heavy saucepan and
bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the flour mixture. Stir in buttermilk and egg. Pour
batter into a greased and floured 10 inch iron skillet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30
minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in skillet for 10
minutes and invert onto plate. Slice in pie shaped wedges.
Evaluation
1. What nutrients would you find in shortenin bread? Look at all of the ingredients and
determine what each one would provide.

2. Do you think that shortenin bread would help sick children? Why or why not?

45

TESOL ESL Standards, Grades 4 12

Goal 1, Standard 1
To use English to communicate in social settings:
Students will use English to participate in social interactions
Descriptors
sharing and requesting information
expressing needs, feelings, and ideas
using nonverbal communication in social interactions
getting personal needs met
engaging in conversations
conducting transactions
Goal 1, Standard 2
To use English to communicate in social settings:
Students will interact in, through, and with spoken and written English for personal
expression and enjoyment
Descriptors
describing, reading about, or participating in a favorite activity
sharing social and cultural traditions and values
expressing personal needs, feelings, and ideas
participating in popular culture
Goal 1, Standard 3
To use English to communicate in social settings:
Students will use learning strategies to extend their communicative competence
Descriptors
testing hypotheses about language
listening to and imitating how others use English
exploring alternative ways of saying things
focusing attention selectively
seeking support and feedback from others
comparing nonverbal and verbal cues
self-monitoring and self-evaluating language development
using the primary language to ask for clarification
46

learning and using language chunks

selecting different media to help understand language
practicing new language
using context to construct meaning

Goal 2, Standard 1
To use English to achieve academically in all content areas:
Students will use English to interact in the classroom
Descriptors
following oral and written directions, implicit and explicit
requesting and providing clarification
participating in full-class, group, and pair discussions
asking and answering questions
requesting information and assistance
negotiating and managing interaction to accomplish tasks
explaining actions
elaborating and extending other peoples ideas and words
expressing likes, dislikes, and needs
Goal 2, Standard 2
To use English to achieve academically in all content areas:
Students will use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter
information in spoken and written form
Descriptors
comparing and contrasting information
persuading, arguing, negotiating, evaluating, and justifying
listening to, speaking, reading and writing about subject matter information
gathering information orally and in writing
retelling information
selecting, connecting, and explaining information
analyzing, synthesizing, and inferring from information
responding to the work of peers and others
representing information visually and interpreting information presented visually
hypothesizing and predicting
formulating and asking questions
understanding and producing technical vocabulary and text features according to
content area
demonstrating knowledge through application in a variety of contexts
Goal 2, Standard 3
To use English to achieve academically in all content areas:
Students will use appropriate learning strategies to construct and apply academic
knowledge
Descriptors
focusing attention selectively
applying basic reading comprehension skills such as skimming, scanning,
previewing, and reviewing text
47

using context to construct meaning

taking notes to record important information and aid ones own learning
applying self-monitoring and self-corrective strategies to build and expand a
knowledge base
determining and establishing the conditions that help one become an effective
learner (e.g., when, where, and how to study)
planning how and when to use cognitive strategies and applying them
appropriately to a learning task
actively connecting new information to information previously learned
evaluating ones own success in a completed learning task
recognizing the need for and seeking assistance appropriately form others (e.g.,
teachers, peers, specialists, community members)
imitating the behaviors of native English speakers to complete tasks successfully
knowing when to use native language resources (human and material) to promote
understanding

Goal 3, Standard 1
To use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways:
Students will use the appropriate language variety, register, and genre according to the
audience, purpose and setting
Descriptors
using the appropriate degree of formality with different audiences and settings
recognizing and using standard English and vernacular dialects appropriately
using a variety of writing styles appropriate for different audiences, purposes, and
settings
responding to and using slang appropriately
responding to and using idioms appropriately
responding to and using humor appropriately
determining when it is appropriate to use a language other than English
determining appropriate topics for interaction

Goal 3, Standard 2
To use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways:
Students will use nonverbal communication appropriate to audience, purpose and setting
Descriptors
interpreting and responding appropriately to nonverbal cues and body language
demonstrating knowledge of acceptable nonverbal classroom behaviors
using acceptable tone, volume, stress, and intonation, in various social settings
recognizing and adjusting behavior in response to nonverbal cues
Goal 3, Standard 3
To use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways:
Students will use appropriate learning strategies to extend their sociolinguistic and
sociocultural competence
Descriptors
observing and modeling how others speak and behave in a particular situation or
setting
48

experimenting with variations of language in social and academic settings

seeking information about appropriate language use and behavior
self-monitoring and self-evaluating language use according to setting and
audience
analyzing the social context to determine appropriate language use
rehearsing variations of language use in different social and academic settings
deciding when use of slang is appropriate

49

Resources
Nutrition Thematic Unit
Curtis, Helena. 1975. Biology. 2nd Edition. New York: Worth.
Health Lesson Ideas. Nutritional Budgeting. 2003.
<http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=916>.
Kimballs Biology Page. Human Nutrition. 2003.
<http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/N/Nutrition.html>.
McDonald's Quality & Nutrition Information. Bag a McMeal.
<http://app.mcdonalds.com/bagamcmeal>.
Merki, Don, Ph.D., and Mary Bronson Merki, Ph.D. 1996. Health: a Guide to Wellness.
5th Edition. New York: Glencoe.
Murray, Robert. 2000. Ten Major Advances in Nutrition.
<http://www.glycoscience.com/glycoscience/document_viewer.wm?FILENAME
=C007>.
NorthwestrNutrition. Nutrition Facts Sheets.
<http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/fact-sheets.html>.
Penner, Karen. Whats on a Food Label? Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
January 2000. <http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/fntr2/l883.pdf>.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. 1997. ESL Standards for PreK-12 Students. Bloomington, IL: Pantagraph Printing.

50

Self Evaluation - Healthier Choices for Teens

How Do You Eat?
Number a sheet of paper
from 1 to 25. Read the
items below and answer
with: almost always,
sometimes, seldom, or
never.
1. I eat foods from several
food groups at each meal.
2. Each day I eat at lest 6
servings of bread, cereal,
grains, and pasta group.
3. Each day I eat at least 3
servings of vegetable
group.
4. Each day I eat at least 3
servings from the fruit
group.
5. Each day I eat at least 2
servings from the meat,
poultry, fish and alternate
groups.
6. Each day I eat at least 2
servings from the milk,
yogurt and the cheese
group.
7. I eat fried foods such as
french fries and fried
onion rings sparingly.
8. I avoid high-fat desserts
and baked food.
9. I eat gravies and reach
sauces sparingly.
10. I cut all visible fat of
the meats and remove the
skin from the chicken.
11. I reach for fresh fruits
instead of a sweet dessert
or snack.
12. I buy fruit packed in
water or juice instead of
heavy syrup.

13. I eat whole-grain

breads and cereals instead
of highly refined grains.
14. I eat whole fruits with
the skin or peel.
15. I taste food before
salting it.
16. I avoid eating too
many salty snack foods.
17. I avoid alcoholic
beverages.
18. I eat a nutritious
breakfast.
19. I drink milk or juice at
mealtime rather than a soft
drink.
20. I snack mostly on
foods from the 5 food
groups rather than on
empty-calorie foods.
21. If I snack, I do so well
before mealtime.
22. At potatoes and pasta
bars, I avoid overloading
on sauces, sour cream, and
butter.
23. At salad bars I go
heavy on fresh fruits/
vegetables and light on
creamed salads/desserts.
24. I use information on a
nutrient label and the
ingredient list of a food
label when I shop for food.
25. I compare prizes using
the unit price label when I
shop for groceries.

What Is Your Score?

2 Pts- Almost Always
1 Pt- Sometimes
0 Pt- Seldom/Never

51

Add them up. Check your

score with the following
chart.

38-50
Excellent. Your food
choices show that you are
taking care of yourself
and your health.
13-37
Good. You might
understand that good
nutrition is important to
your health, but you need
to make wiser food
decisions.
0-12
Needs Improvement.
Your food choices might
be putting your body at
risk.
Do You Know Your
Goals?
Do Part A if you score 3850
Do Part A and B if your
score was under 38.
Part A
1. I plan to learn more
about making wise food
decisions in this way:
_______.
2. My timetable for
completing this is:
_______.
3. I plan to share food/
nutrition information with
others by: _______.
Part B
4. The food behaviors that
I like to change or improve
is: ________.

5. The steps involved in

making these changes are:
_______.

6. My timetable for
making these changes is:
________.

52

7. My rewards for making

these changes are:
________.