Understanding Nutrition: The Importance of a Balanced Diet Basic Science JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

Basic Science JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 10-11 years
Topic: Family Health II
Sub-topic: Nutrition and Balanced Diet

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define nutrition.
2. Explain the concept of a balanced diet and give examples.
3. List the classes of food with examples.
4. Plan an adequate diet for a home.

Keywords:

• Nutrition: The process of taking in food and using it for growth and health.
• Balanced Diet: A meal that contains all the classes of food in the right proportion.
• Nutrients: Substances in food that provide the body with energy and support growth.

Set Induction:

Ask the students: “What types of food do you eat at home and why do you eat them?” This will spark a discussion on food and its importance.

Entry Behaviour:

Students are already familiar with different types of food through their daily meals at home.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Charts showing different classes of food.
• Samples of food items such as rice, beans, fish, vegetables, and fruits.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students are already familiar with basic food items they eat at home. This lesson will build on that by explaining the importance of having a balanced diet.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Nutrition and health education.
• Critical thinking and planning.

Learning Materials:

• Pictures showing different food items.
• Charts showing the food pyramid.

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work.
• Approved Basic Science Textbooks for JSS 1.

Instructional Materials:

• Pictures and charts showing various food groups.
• Sample food items like fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains.

Content:

1. Definition of Nutrition

• Nutrition is the process by which the body takes in and uses food for growth, energy, and overall health. It includes the intake of food that contains essential nutrients needed for the body’s proper functioning.

2. Balanced Diet and Examples

• A Balanced Diet is a meal that contains all the classes of food—carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water—in the right proportion. Eating a balanced diet is important for maintaining good health.
  Examples of Balanced Diets:
• A meal of rice, fish, vegetables, and fruit.
• A meal of beans, yam, chicken, and water.

3. Classes of Food with Examples
There are six major classes of food:

• Carbohydrates: Provide energy. Examples: rice, yam, bread, maize.
• Proteins: Build and repair body tissues. Examples: meat, fish, beans, eggs.
• Fats and Oils: Provide energy and help in absorbing vitamins. Examples: butter, vegetable oil, margarine.
• Vitamins: Keep the body healthy and improve the immune system. Examples: fruits (oranges, mangoes), vegetables (spinach, carrots).
• Minerals: Strengthen bones and teeth and support various body functions. Examples: milk (calcium), salt (sodium), fish (iodine).
• Water: Helps in digestion and regulates body temperature. Examples: water, soups, and watery fruits like watermelon.

4. Planning an Adequate Diet for a Home
An adequate diet is one that meets the nutritional needs of all members of the family.
Sample Meal Plan for a Day:

• Breakfast: Bread with fried eggs and milk.
• Lunch: Rice with fish stew, plantains, and a glass of water.
• Dinner: Pounded yam with vegetable soup, meat, and water.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:

1. Nutrition is the process of _______ and using food for growth and health.
   a) cooking
   b) buying
   c) taking in
   d) storing
2. A balanced diet contains all the classes of food in the right _______.
   a) portion
   b) shop
   c) place
   d) size
3. One example of a balanced meal is rice, fish, and _______.
   a) shoes
   b) water
   c) clothes
   d) vegetables
4. The class of food that gives us energy is _______.
   a) proteins
   b) carbohydrates
   c) vitamins
   d) minerals
5. Proteins are important for _______ and repairing body tissues.
   a) building
   b) breaking
   c) tasting
   d) sleeping
6. An example of a food rich in protein is _______.
   a) beans
   b) yam
   c) water
   d) bread
7. Fruits and vegetables provide _______ for the body.
   a) water
   b) carbohydrates
   c) vitamins
   d) oils
8. Fats and oils help the body absorb _______.
   a) vitamins
   b) air
   c) light
   d) carbohydrates
9. Drinking enough _______ helps to keep the body hydrated.
   a) milk
   b) soup
   c) tea
   d) water
10. A good source of minerals like calcium is _______.
    a) rice
    b) beans
    c) milk
    d) oranges
11. _______ helps in digestion and regulates body temperature.
    a) Water
    b) Air
    c) Bread
    d) Oil
12. An example of food that contains carbohydrates is _______.
    a) fish
    b) bread
    c) salt
    d) pepper
13. Minerals are important for making _______ strong.
    a) bones
    b) shoes
    c) clothes
    d) plants
14. The body needs fats and oils for _______ and energy.
    a) storage
    b) sleep
    c) heat
    d) growth
15. Examples of foods that contain vitamins are fruits and _______.
    a) salt
    b) vegetables
    c) beans
    d) sugar

15 FAQs with Answers:

1. What is nutrition?
   Nutrition is the process of taking in and using food for growth and good health.
2. What is a balanced diet?
   A balanced diet is a meal that contains all the classes of food in the right proportions.
3. Why is a balanced diet important?
   It helps to keep the body healthy and provides the energy and nutrients needed for growth and daily activities.
4. What are the classes of food?
   The classes of food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, vitamins, minerals, and water.
5. Can you give an example of a balanced meal?
   A meal of rice, fish, and vegetables is an example of a balanced diet.
6. What food gives us energy?
   Carbohydrates give us energy. Examples are bread, yam, and rice.
7. Why do we need proteins?
   Proteins are needed to build and repair body tissues.
8. What are examples of food rich in proteins?
   Examples include meat, fish, eggs, and beans.
9. What do vitamins do for the body?
   Vitamins help the body stay healthy and improve the immune system.
10. Where can we get minerals from?
    Minerals can be found in foods like milk (calcium), fish (iodine), and salt (sodium).
11. What does water do for the body?
    Water helps in digestion, regulates body temperature, and keeps the body hydrated.
12. Why are fruits and vegetables important?
    They provide vitamins that help the body stay healthy and fight diseases.
13. What happens if we do not eat a balanced diet?
    We may become weak, unhealthy, or even get sick.
14. How can we plan an adequate diet?
    By ensuring that our meals contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water in the right proportions.
15. What should we drink often to stay hydrated?
    We should drink water regularly.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic (Sanitation and Personal Health).
Step 2: The teacher introduces the topic of “Nutrition and Balanced Diet” and explains the importance of eating a balanced diet.
Step 3: The teacher shows examples of different foods and asks students to classify them according to their classes.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Define nutrition and balanced diet.
• List the classes of food with examples.
• Demonstrate how to plan an adequate diet for the home.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in class discussions.
• Practice classifying foods into their different categories.
• Plan a sample balanced meal with the teacher’s guidance.

Assessment:

1. What is nutrition?
2. List the classes of food with examples.
3. Explain what a balanced diet is.
4. Why is water important for the body?
5. Plan a balanced diet for a family of four.

Ten Evaluation Questions:

1. Define nutrition.

2. What is a balanced diet?
3. Give two examples of foods rich in proteins.
4. What is the importance of vitamins?
5. Name one food that provides carbohydrates.
6. Why is it important to drink water?
7. List three classes of food.
8. Give an example of a balanced meal.
9. Why do we need fats and oils?
10. How can we plan an adequate diet?

Conclusion:

The teacher reviews the key points of the lesson, ensuring that students understand the importance of nutrition and how to plan a balanced diet. The teacher then checks students’ work and offers feedback where needed.

More Useful Links

• Sanitation and Personal Hygiene: Keeping Ourselves and Our Surroundings Clean Basic Science JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6
• Puberty and Adolescent Changes Basic Science JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Nutrition and Balanced Diet for JSS 1 | Essential Food Classes and Planning