Nutrition Lessons Information on Middle School Nutrition

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Learning About Nurtition? It is important to keep in mind that these guidelines are designed to provide you with a general framework to build on for future lesson plans. Children at this age should begin to:
See healthful foods in a positive environment
Assess current food habits
Be able to recognize/recall portion sized
Learn food label reading
Discuss available menu choices when dining out
Involve parents through take-home activities
Be a positive role model for younger siblings
Use food groups to plan balanced meals
Use role playing activities to enhance decision-making skills
Recognize media/peer influences on eating behavior
Practice proper sanitation skills

Empower children by involving them in food and cooking activiites such as:
Learning to use small appliances such as the microwave and blender
Learning to use the stove and oven
Measuring out indgredients for a recipe
Grating cheese
Chopping vegetables
Learning to follow a recipe
Planning and preparing a well-balanced, simple meal
The Nutrition Facts label is a great tool for comparing similar food products with each other for nutritional content
Label reading can help children sharpen their nutrition knowledge, math, and ciritical thinking skills
Middle shcool children can begin to compare different parameters such as the fat content in one serving of different snack foods like pretzels, popcorn, crackers, and chips.

Reference: Evers, Connie, MS, RD. How to Teach Nutrition to Kids. 24 Carrot Press. 1995