Lesson
Kids learn how to make nutritious snack choices by comparing the sugar content of snack foods.
Students should have the general understanding that the more nutrients in a food or a beverage, the better it is for your body and brain. The lessons in this unit present a fun and interactive way to learn about sugar content in snacks and drinks. Kids will increase their decision-making skills as they learn how to read a food label to tell if an item contains excessive amounts of sugar. They will plan and advocate for nutritious snack and drink choices that are low in added sugar.
Ask kids to look at their drink tally sheets from Lesson 3. Ask them if they made better choices because they know more about the nutritional value of milk and water.
Let kids know that they will take a closer look at the added sugar in snacks so they are better able to make healthy decisions.
To use this with your students click here.
Snack Attack
Help kids brainstorm foods in their grocery stores that do not have a label. Then let them know that foods without labels are likely to have no added sugar!
Snack Choices
Watch the slideshow to learn about the difference between a "snack" and a "treat." A snack is a small portion of nutritious food eaten between meals. Snacks have no or very little added sugar. A treat has less nutrition and more added sugar than snacks. Treats are okay sometimes.
Teacher tip: No label on the food? It is probably a fresh fruit or vegetable, which do not require nutrition labels. These are great snacks!
Check for understanding: What snack choices are best for your body and brain?
How many kinds of nutritious foods can your learners find on the Healthy Foods Coloring Pages?
Today we learned that nutritious snack choices have little or no added sugar.
Now that you know more about nutritious snack choices, what will you choose for your next snack?
Grade: 3-5
Time: 20 Minutes
Encourage kids to stop and think about their moods and energy levels. This leads to healthier decision-making.
Start LessonRead nutrition labels to know how much natural and added sugars are inside what we eat and drink.
Start LessonUse a game to reinforce nutritious food choices.
Start LessonWe make choices all day long. Let’s help kids identify times during the day when they make choices and practice giving reasons why they made certain choices.
Start LessonShow kids that different foods and drinks contain different amounts of sugar.
Start LessonTeach kids that resting, having a positive mindset, eating healthy foods, and engaging in physical activity will help them make better choices.
Start Lesson