Objectives: To help students to apply knowledge of the food pyramid to their own food choices. To help students analyze their own food purchases. To empower students to take control of their own health and nutritional needs.
Materials: Poster or large picture of the food pyramid. Software to print
pictures of food or cut out pictures of food from periodicals and glue on paper. On
the top of each card write "Which of these is better for you . . . ." Make
up cards with the following comparisons:
- soda vs. juice
- fruit drink vs. fruit juice
- whole mile vs. skim milk
- one-percent vs. two-percent milk
- egg & bacon on muffin vs. cereal with milk and juice
- regular coffee vs. decaf.
- coffee vs. fruit juice
- canned vegetables vs. raw
- soda vs. mineral water
- French fries vs. baked potato
- hot dog vs. turkey sandwich
- ice cream vs. frozen yogurt
- ham vs. turkey
- red meat vs. fish
- donut vs. whole wheat bread
- hamburger vs. bean & cheese enchilada
- apple pie vs. fresh apple
- cookies vs. pretzel
- onion rings vs. popcorn
- potato chips vs. celery with peanut butter
- brown bread vs. white bread
- etc., etc.
Procedure:
1) Review food pyramid. Remind students that it's best to eat more breads,
vegetables, and fruits. Eat comparatively lesser amounts of dairy products and
proteins. List some items from the fats and sweets group which are not necessary for
a balanced diet.
2) Hold up each card and use it as a discussion starter. For example, discuss
the merits of pretzels having less fat (usually) but more salt than cookies.
3) Review the food pyramid.
copyright (c) Bill Straub, November 1996
permission granted for classroom use only - not for resale