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Nutrition Introduction

Food Production & Sustainability

Healthy Eating Plate

Food Allergies

PRIMARY LESSON PLANS

Introduction to Nutrition

Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Define nutrition and explain why it is important for their health.
  • Identify basic nutrients and their roles in the body.
  • Recognize the importance of eating a variety of foods.

Materials

  • Visual aids (images or posters of different foods).
  • Whiteboard and markers.
  • Handouts with simple drawings of the five food groups.

Main Activities

Duration: 45 – 60 minutes

Introduction

(5 minutes)

  • Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what nutrition is.
  • Show images of healthy foods and ask the students what they think these foods do for their bodies.

Activity 1 – What is Nutrition?

(15 minutes)

1. Explain that nutrition is like giving our bodies the right kind of fuel to help us grow, be strong, and feel good.
2. Use relatable examples: Just like cars need fuel to run, our bodies need healthy food to work well.
3. Discuss why nutrition is important: It helps us have energy to play, learn, and stay healthy.

Activity 2 – Nutrients and Their Roles?

(15 minutes)

1. Introduce the basic nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
2. For each nutrient, briefly explain its role:
– Carbohydrates give us energy.
– Proteins help us build and repair our muscles.
– Fats give us energy and protect our organs.
– Vitamins and minerals help our bodies work properly.
3. Show simple images or drawings of foods that contain these nutrients.

Activity 3 – Exploring Food Groups?

(15 minutes)

1. Introduce the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy.
2. Display images of foods from each group and ask students to identify them.
3. Discuss the importance of eating a variety of foods from all the groups to get all the nutrients we need.

Wrap-up and Discussion.

(5 minutes)

Review the main points of the lesson:

  • What is nutrition? Why is it important? What are the five food groups and why should we eat a variety of foods?
  • Ask students if they have any questions about nutrition or the food groups.

Homework

Ask students to draw or list foods they’ve eaten in the past day and label which food group each item belongs to. This reinforces the concept of food groups and encourages them to think about their own eating habits.

Assessment

Observe students’ participation during discussions and activities. Review the homework assignment to see if they were able to categorize foods into the correct food groups.