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
Teach kids to think about making healthy choices and the importance of doing so.
Start LessonEncourage kids to stop and think about their moods and energy levels. This leads to healthier decision-making.
Start LessonTaking time to think about choices is important, we call this a choice-check.
Start LessonTeach kids to think about how their energy and mood affect their food and move choices.
Start LessonMaking healthy choices happens throughout our day. Teach kids to recognize these moments.
Start LessonShow kids how making healthy choices can cause a chain reaction of feeling good and making more healthy choices.
Start Lesson