TeenHealthFX presents

Lesson Plans & Instructional Tools for

Nutrition

The following are instructional tools, resources, and example lesson plans of how to effectively teach students about healthy alternatives to their favorite foods, healthy options on a budget, and ways to improve their overall health.

 

TeenHealthFX Related Questions:

Full After A Few Bites

What Are Some Tips on Nutrition?

I Know It’s Good For You, But I Hate Water

 

TeenHealthFX Hot Topics:

How To Eat Healthy & Exercise At Home

Are Carbs Really Bad For You?

Being A Vegetarian

 

TeenHealthFX Resources:

Nutrition & Fitness Resources for Mental Health

 

 

Multi Day Lesson Plans:

Day 1: Why do we need nutriton labels ?

Day 2 : What makes a food healthy versus unhealthy?

Day  3: Create a healthy meal plan.

 

Objectives:

Students will discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy food options.

Students will recognize key features on nutrition labels.

Students will create a healthy meal plan.

 

Day 1:

“Do Now”: Why are nutrition labels important?

Discuss why nutrition labels are needed on food items.

Break students up into small groups or designate students to pick a variety of food items.

*If students are remote and are interested, have them find a food items at home. 

Guide students to research the food item and to write down key information provided from the nutrition label.

In small groups or as a class discussion, have students share their findings and compare/contrast the different foods and their nutritional values.

Have students start to consider what makes food items considered healthy vs unhealthy.

 

Day 2:

"Do Now": What foods are considered healthy? How do you know?

Activity:

Discuss “do now” activity as a class discussion, post on google classroom (or similar on-line format).

Brainstorm as a class or small group their favorite foods.

Have students separate them into 2 columns: healthy versus unhealthy.

Students will then research their favorite foods and see whether or not their assumptions were correct.

Then, have students look at their unhealthy column, discuss healthier alternatives.

*Important to note that eating unhealthy foods IS ok. Everything in moderation. Try to avoid shaming kids for their food options.

 

Day 3:

Do Now: Do you think it is possible to make a meal plan on a budget?  

Discuss whether or not students think this is possible.

Students can work individually or be split into small groups.

Students will research food items online or with paper grocery circulars at home.

Students will be challenged to create a meal plan for 1 week on a budget (use your discretion on what kind of budget).

*You can use a variety of ways to utilize the meal plan:

            - to teach healthier options.

            - to help teens realize food in general can be expensive.

            - it is possible to choose healthy items on a budget.

            - how students find healthier alternatives at the same cost of “junk” food.

            - provide a sense of responsibility and control over their eating.

 

 

Additional resources can be found here.

 

 

This TeenHealthFX lesson guide correlates with the following National Health Education Standards:

1. Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

2. Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology and other factors on health behaviors.

3. Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.

4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

 5. Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

 6. Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.

7. Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

8. Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.

You can also access your state's school health policy.