Nutrition For Kids

These are the individual lessons from the Nutrition, Health, and Safety Unit Study

Nutrition Facts and Games

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MatchCard #1: Identify the recommended number of daily servings from each food group for kids 9 to 13 years of age.

Activities: Measure rice, make ice cream, test the taste of applesauce from different apples, compare cream and milk, compete to see who knows the most kind of fruits and vegetables: who said nutrition facts had to be boring?

What Is A Carbohydrate?

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MatchCard #2: Explain the role of carbohydrates in the diet.

Activities: Make a Carb Checker with Iodine and test foods, Chew Up Some high fiber and low fiber foods, make a poster of high and low glycemic foods, make a carbohydrate molecule

Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrates

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MatchCard #3: Compare proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Activities: Make molecules of each nutrient. Experiment with butter and margarine. Test for proteins in foods. Find out how soap washes greasy dishes. Touch a protein matrix.

6 Essential Vitamins

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MatchCard #4: Describe the role of vitamins.

Activities: Make a pineapple marinade to act as a protein-splitting enzyme. Make a solution to check for Vitamin C in different juices. Check if Vitamin E does protect from aging. Find out how much a mg really is.

Read More: Quiz yourself on vitamins: How much do you really know?

3 Important Minerals

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MatchCard #5: Identify the role of 3 minerals in the body.

Activities: Watch what acid does to the calcium in bones. Check for iron in your breakfast cereal. Test what mineral rusts. Watch potassium burn.

Exercise and Relaxation

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MatchCard #6: Compare the benefits of exercise and relaxation.

Activities: Play the Memory Checker game. Find which of your favorite forms of exercise burn the most calories. Practice different ways to relax.

Staying Safe at Home

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MatchCard #7: Identify health risks that may be present in the home.

Activities: "See" your house as a blind person might experience it. Practice fire safety measures. Check radon and carbon monoxide detectors.

Classes of Fires

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MatchCard #8: Identify the 3 classes of fires.

Activities: Compare fires and fire extinguishers. Practice using a fire extinguisher. Build a campfire. Smother the flame of a candle.

Substance Abuse

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MatchCard #9: Identify the health risks of smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

Activities: Calculate the cost of smoking. Investigate the surgeon general's warnings. Find articles in your local news of substances impacting teens. Practice avoiding substances when peer pressure is exerted. See how cool smoking can be when you have lung damage.

Risks of Sexual Behavior

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MatchCard #10: Discuss risks of sexual contact outside of a monogamous relationship.

Activities: Compare different risk factors of sexual activity. Assess different prevention strategies. Learn the ABC's of STI's. View pictures of different sexually transmitted infections. Use pennies to calculate the risk of pregnancy with different forms of birth control.

Avoiding Abusive Relationships

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MatchCard #11: Identify strategies that can help individuals avoid abusive relationships.

Activities: Compare healthy relationships, unhealthy relationships, and abusive relationships. Discussion questions and role play scenarios are suggested.