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Nutrition Introduction

Food Groups

Food Advertising & Media Literacy

Food Productions & Sustainability

Healthy Eating Plate

Allergies & Dietary Restrictions

Portion Control & MindfulEating

Food Labels

SecondARY LESSON PLANS

Decoding Food Labels: Making Informed Choices

Objectives

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

  • Understand the importance of reading food labels for making informed dietary choices.
  • Identify and explain key components of food labels, including serving size, calories, % Daily Value, and ingredients.
  • Analyze food labels to assess the nutritional content of packaged foods.

Materials

  • Sample food labels from various products (prepare in advance)
  • Projector and screen for multimedia presentations
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handouts with example food labels
  • Laptops or tablets for online research (optional)

Main Activities

Duration: 60 minutes

Introduction

(10 minutes)

  • Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of food labels and their role in making healthy food choices.
  • Highlight the importance of understanding what goes into the foods we consume

Activity 1 – Introduction to Food Labels

(15 minutes)

  1. Present the importance of food labels in assessing the nutritional content of packaged foods.
  2. Explain that food labels provide information about serving sizes, calories, nutrients, and ingredients.
  3. Show examples of various food labels and discuss why they are essential.

Activity 2 – Key Components of Food Labels

(15 minutes)

  1. Break down the key components of food labels: serving size, calories, % Daily Value, and ingredients.
  2. Discuss what each of these components means and how they help consumers make informed choices.
  3. Show examples of food labels and discuss how these components are presented.

Activity 3 – Analyzing Food Labels

(25 minutes)

  1. Provide students with sample food labels from different products.
  2. Instruct them to work in pairs or small groups and analyze the labels.
  3. Ask them to determine serving sizes, calorie content, % Daily Value of nutrients, and identify any ingredients of concern.
  4. Groups present their findings and discuss the nutritional value of the selected products.

Wrap-up and Discussion.

(10 minutes)

Summarize the key points of the lesson:

  •  Why is reading food labels important, and what do the key components of food labels mean?
  • Discuss the challenges and benefits of using food labels in real-life situations.

Homework

Assign students to bring in a food label from a product they consume regularly, analyze it, and be prepared to discuss it in the next class.

Assessment

Assess students’ understanding of food labels through their group presentations, participation in class discussions, and the accuracy of their analysis of sample food labels.