Food is Elementary Lesson #3- Food Comparisons, Labels, and Shopping

During the third Food is Elementary lesson, our students learned that some foods have more dietary fat than others, that prepared foods often contain more fat than whole foods, and that food labels can tell us what has been added to prepared foods. Throughout the lesson, food educators reinforced the idea that consuming excessive amounts of dietary fat can lead to clogged"tubes" (blood vessels) and heart disease.

In order to illustrate that some foods have more fat than others, the lesson started with a comparison of two foods: baked potatoes and potato chips. Students were asked which had more fat- two whole baked potatoes, or one small bag of chips (1.25 ounces). Student volunteers helped pass around our potatoes and potato chips, thus allowing each student to hold the foods, comparing their respective weights. Students determined that the bag of chips had more fat, because of the method of preparation (frying). As a class, we discussed which food would be a healthier and more filling choice as an after school snack, we visually observed the location of the food label and briefly discussed what information the food label contains. After our discussion, student volunteers placed pictures of a baked potato and a slice of pie on the food pyramid. Happily, nearly all students understood that the baked potato was a vegetable, and that the potato chips belonged with fats and oils. The same exercise was repeated with eight Golden Delicious apples (locally grown and provided by the Greener Grocer) and a single- serve packaged apple pie.

Following our food comparisons, students graphed the number of fat grams in the potatoes/potato chips and the apples/apple pies. Felt circles placed by students on a large felt board visually represented the great difference in the fat content of our prepared and whole foods; every student was able to place a felt "fat circle" on a large felt board.

Finally, students engaged in a multi-sensory apple eating exercise designed to emphasize that healthy dietary choices are also delicious choices. With eyes closed, students were presented with locally grown Golden Delicious apples (thanks Greener Grocer!) which they explored with their senses of touch, smell, taste, and sound. I can only describe their eating as reverent- it was truly a sight to behold!