GBS- You are what you eat lesson 2

By Stacy Newman

GBS- You are what you eat lesson 2

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

In this lesson of THE GREAT BODY SHOP, we will be learning about the differences people have in their nutritional needs. We will discover all of the things which influence our choices in food throughout our lives. We will create an eating plan that’s right for us now and ten years from now.

​

Open Ended

Tell us one thing that would affect the amount of food a person should eat?

Open Ended

What are some reasons people choose the foods they do eat?

Multiple Choice

Who would need more calcium: a child or a 35 year old man?

• Child

• 35 year old man

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Calcium is a mineral important for healthy bones and teeth. As children, you are told you should eat foods that have calcium in them because your bones and teeth are still growing. We still need calcium as we get older, but adult men don’t need as much. However, calcium is still important for women.

​

Open Ended

Do you remember from yesterday? Why we need to eat foods that have a lot of carbohydrates?

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

They give us more energy!

Multiple Choice

Who would need to eat more carbohydrates, an athlete or a writer?

• Athlete

• Writer

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​Let’s take a look at page 3 of our Student Issues. Read the section called “How Much Food Do You Need?” This section tells us about Tito’s family and all of the different portions of foods they eat because of their differences in age, activity level, gender, and health.

Open Ended

From our reading and discussion, what factors seem to be important in deciding how much food we need to eat?

Knowing what healthful foods we should eat is one thing. However, there are other things which cause us to choose the foods we do eat. There are many things that influence our physical and emotional health. Our gender, age, heredity, training, medical conditions, and health behaviors can directly impact our physical well-being. Other factors like family, friends, television advertisements, personal likes/dislikes, and culture can impact our emotional well-being. Put them together and you have many things that influence your food choices besides just knowing what is good for you.

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Turn to page 3 again

Read “Did You Know That.” Pay particular attention to the problems you might face in adulthood if you do not eat a healthful diet now.

​

We know that heart disease and type 2 diabetes can be the result of a poor diet and lack of exercise. These used to be problems only for adults. However, children are at risk as well. Some of these conditions can be inherited too.

Now, we are going to do some predicting. Let’s take a look at what a typical fifth grader might eat in a day, especially if that fifth grader has not studied the importance of eating healthful choices from MyPlate.

This is an unhealthy diet 

​Breakfast:

• sugar coated cereal with whole milk

• orange juice

• blueberry muffin with butter

Lunch:

• peanut-butter and jelly sandwich

• chocolate chip cookies

• orange flavored sports drink

• small bag of chips

​Dinner:

• hamburger

• french fries

• cola

• ice cream

Let’s predict the consequences of maintaining this current diet without any change until the fifth grader reaches the age of his/her parents.

1. Kids between 9 and 13 should eat 1600–2600 calories a day. Adults between 31 and 50 should eat 1800–3000. Adults over 50 should eat 1600–2800 calories a day.

2. High fat diets lead to chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

3. People who are less active (sedentary) need fewer calories. If a 9 year old boy was moderately to vigorously active more than 60 minutes a day, he would need 2600 calories. However, if a 9 year old girl was sedentary, she would only need 1600 calories a day.

4. A little bit of fat goes a long way. One gram of fat equals nine calories; one gram of protein or carbohydrate equals four calories. No one should have more than 30% of their daily calories from fat; at least 55% of daily calories should come from carbohydrates and 15% from protein. Unused calories get stored as fat.

5. Bodies need calcium. Without it, bones and teeth can be harmed. Women are especially prone to a bone disease called osteoporosis.

6. When people follow MyPlate, they get a balanced diet that includes all of the nutrients they need. If they don’t eat a balanced diet, they will lack the nutrients the body needs to fight disease and stay healthy.

Open Ended

Let’s predict the consequences of maintaining this current diet without any change until the fifth grader reaches the age of his/her parents.

During this year, you will want to set some goals for both food choices and your activity level, in order to be the healthiest you can be. Think about the things you would need to do in order to set and meet your goals. What would you need to plan for in order to be successful? Write down a list of strategies that might help you stay motivated and keep on track with your fitness and nutrition goals.

Food choice and activity goal