Duration:  5 one hour sessions

Objectives:
The students will:

• understand the role of protein and fat in our bodies.
• understand the consequences of eating too much fat.
• read information on labels to determine fat and protein content.
• conduct an experiment to determine if foods contain fat.

Procedure:

1.  Give the definition of fat.  Give the definition of protein.  What kinds of foods do you think fit into these two categories ?  Have students brainstorm.  Compile responses on a chart paper.  Start the chart with the following categories:
Food Item   Protein    Fat    Carbohydrate    Vitamins    Minerals    Beef

Use meat as an example.  Place beef under FOOD ITEM and check off protein on the chart.

Students will keep an ongoing chart identifying the composition of the foods they eat.  They will keep adding for 5 days.

2.  Students will use the information gathered to create a spreadsheet.  After students have inputted the data they will create a bar graph to illustrate the foods they eat and what category they fall under.  Students will then have a visual of what category they have more of.

3.  Have the students use the Internet to find the answers to the following questions:
Questions:
1.What foods are high in protein?
2.How many servings a day are recommended for optimum health?
3.What are the consequences of not having enough protein?
Answers:
1.  Meat (beef, pork, chicken, etc.) dairy products including cheese, eggs, and fish all contain large quantities of protein.

2.  The Food Guide Pyramid suggests that people eat two to three servings from this
group each day. Here are some examples of what counts as one serving:
 

•     2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish
•     1 egg, 1/2 cup cooked dry beans (pinto, black, and navy are types of dry beans), or
      2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of an meat

Protein helps your body in other ways, too. It likes to make sure things get around by making hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of your body. It even makes antibodies, the cells that fight off infection and disease. And the next time you fall off your bike and scrape your knee, call for protein to the rescue - it's what helps make your cuts and scrapes heal!

It's easy to get the protein your body needs. Protein is in tasty foods like meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and nuts. And you'll want to say, "More protein, please!" every time you eat some cheese - dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt are good sources of protein. And don't forget your bean - your lentil beans or peas, that is! These guys are full of protein.
 

4.  Conduct the "Fat Finding Experiment."  Have the students develop of checklist for an additional list of items at home.    The checklist should have three columns "Name of Food Item" and "Fat Yes", "Fat No".  Students will do this as a home learning assignment.

Assessment:
Students will share their graphs and compile their results to create a class graph.

Home Learning:
Students will keep an ongoing chart identifying the composition of the foods they eat.  They will keep adding for 5 days.
Students will add Food Items to their "Fat Finding Experiment" checklist.

Extension Activities:

Compare other cultures use of animal fat. For example:  The Eskimos use fat for heat.

Internet Links:
Check out the following links for great follow up activities or home learning assignments related to the health and nutrition:

Teacher Source
BrainPop Nutrition
Dole 5 a Day
Body Wise Girl Power
Fantastic Food
Nutrition Explorations