Introduction to Food and Nutrition – Food and Nutrition SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 1

Lesson Plan: Introduction to Food and Nutrition

Subject: Food and Nutrition
Class: SS1
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 14–16 years
Topic: Introduction to Food and Nutrition
Sub-topic: Basic Terms in Food and Nutrition; Importance of Foods and Nutrition; Factors Affecting Food Choices
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Define basic terms related to food and nutrition, including food, nutrition, antineutron, malnutrition, and pro-vitamin.
2. Explain the importance of food and nutrition.
3. List and describe factors that affect food choices, such as income, food availability, and seasonal foods.

Keywords

• Food
• Nutrition
• Antineutron
• Malnutrition
• Pro-vitamin
• Income
• Availability

Set Induction

Begin by asking students what they ate for breakfast. Follow up with questions about why they chose those foods, relating it to the importance of nutrition.

Entry Behavior

Students have a basic understanding of food as they eat daily.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Flashcards with definitions of key terms
• Charts showing different food groups
• Visuals of seasonal foods

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students are familiar with the concept of food through their daily meals. Connect this to nutrition by explaining how different foods provide various nutrients essential for growth.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Personal and social skills

Learning Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Flashcards
• Food models or pictures

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Basic Nutrition Textbooks for Secondary Schools

Instructional Materials

• Chart with terms and definitions
• Flashcards with examples of food types

Content

1. Definition of Basic Terms in Food and Nutrition
   • Food: Any substance consumed to provide nutritional support.
   • Nutrition: The science of how the body uses food to sustain life.
   • Antineutron: A particle in physics not directly related to nutrition; often confused with other nutrition-related terms.
   • Malnutrition: Poor nutrition due to insufficient or unbalanced diet.
   • Pro-vitamin: A substance the body converts into a vitamin (e.g., beta-carotene to vitamin A).
2. Importance of Foods and Nutrition
   • Provides energy for daily activities.
   • Supports growth and development.
   • Helps the body resist infections and diseases.
3. Factors Affecting Food Choices
   • Income: Higher income allows more food options.
   • Availability of Food: Depends on location and season.
   • Foods in Season: Seasonal foods are fresher and often more affordable.

Content:

1. Definition of Nutrition
2. Importance of Human Nutrition (e.g., Maintenance of good health)
3. Factors Affecting Foods and Nutrition

Sub-Topic 1: Definition of Nutrition

Nutrition is the study of nutrients in relation to their functions in the body. It involves examining:

• The chemical and physical properties of nutrients,
• Their sources in food,
• Symptoms of nutrient deficiencies, and
• Their balance in a healthy diet.

Nutrition studies what happens to food from the time it is consumed to when it is metabolized and excreted. It helps us understand how nutrients support life processes.

• Nutrients are substances that provide energy, help build body tissues, and regulate vital body processes. Examples include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Anti-nutrients are substances that hinder the body’s ability to use nutrients effectively. They can block or reduce nutrient absorption, making it harder for the body to benefit from the food consumed. Examples include oxalates in spinach, which may inhibit calcium absorption, and phytates in grains, which may limit the absorption of minerals like iron and zinc.
• Malnutrition refers to a condition resulting from a diet that lacks essential nutrients or includes them in the wrong proportions. This can lead to poor growth, weakened immunity, and other health issues.

Importance of Human Nutrition

Good nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining health and vitality. Proper nutrition:

1. Supports Health and Energy: Provides energy to stay active and resist infections.
2. Supports Growth and Development: Important for children’s physical and mental growth, helping develop brain cells needed for intellectual functions.
3. Aids in Body Processes: Regulates processes like digestion, respiration, and circulation, and controls body temperature.
4. Provides Pleasure and Social Connections: Food brings traditions, enjoyment, and nourishment, contributing to emotional and social well-being.

Examples of how nutrition benefits health:

• Immune Support: A diet rich in vitamins C and D, along with zinc, strengthens the immune system.
• Mental Function: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are important for brain health.
• Bone Strength: Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health and growth.

Sub-Topic 2: Factors Affecting Foods and Nutrition

1. Availability of Food: When food is readily available, people can access a balanced diet. However, food scarcity due to drought or economic hardship can lead to malnutrition.
2. Income: Higher income allows families to buy a variety of nutritious foods. With limited income, families may rely on less diverse and lower-quality foods, affecting overall health.
3. Seasonal Foods: Many foods are more affordable and abundant during their growing seasons. For example, fruits like mangoes and oranges are cheaper in season, allowing for bulk purchases.
4. Ignorance and Lack of Education: Knowledge about food’s nutritional value is essential. Without it, people may make poor food choices. Education on balanced diets, food preparation, and nutrient content improves nutrition.
5. Storage and Preservation Facilities: Effective food preservation methods like canning, drying, and freezing prevent food spoilage. In areas lacking preservation options, food spoilage can lead to shortages and increased waste.
6. Traditions and Customs: Cultural preferences influence diet. Some cultures avoid certain foods due to religious beliefs or customs, impacting their nutritional choices.
7. Cooking Methods: Cooking can enhance or reduce nutrient content. For example, boiling vegetables for too long may reduce their vitamin content, while steaming preserves more nutrients.
8. Family Nutritional Needs: Families have diverse needs based on age, activity level, and health. A family with young children may need more protein and calcium-rich foods to support growth.

Evaluation:

1. List three roles of food in the body.
   • Energy production
   • Growth and repair of tissues
   • Regulation of body processes
2. What is the relationship between good health and food?
   • Good nutrition supports immune function, energy, growth, and mental health, all of which contribute to overall well-being.
3. Define nutrition.
   • Nutrition is the study of nutrients in food and their effects on the body.
4. What are nutrients?
   • Nutrients are substances in food that provide energy, build body tissues, and regulate processes.
5. What are anti-nutrients?
   • Anti-nutrients are compounds that hinder nutrient absorption.
6. Define malnutrition.
   • Malnutrition is a condition caused by a diet lacking essential nutrients.
7. How can ignorance influence food and nutrition?
   • Lack of knowledge about food nutrition can lead to poor dietary choices and inadequate nutrient intake.
8. How does money influence food and nutrition?
   • With more income, families can buy diverse and high-quality foods, improving their health and diet.

General Evaluation:

Objective Test:

1. Nutrition is …
   (a) The act of cooking food
   (b) The chemical substances in food
   (c) The study of various nutrients in relation to their effect on the human body (Answer: c)
   (d) The act of living well
2. Which factor does NOT affect food and nutrition?
   (a) Cooking methods
   (b) Chosen career (Answer)
   (c) Storage facility
   (d) Education
3. A substance eaten, digested, and absorbed by the body is known as …
   (a) Food (Answer)
   (b) Nutrient
   (c) Nutrition
   (d) Chemical substances
4. People who are well-fed have more resistance to …
   (a) Disease (Answer)
   (b) Wealth
   (c) Poverty
   (d) Wellness
5. Food brings to the human body a variety of … except
   (a) Pleasures
   (b) Traditions
   (c) Nourishment
   (d) Sickness (Answer)

Essay Questions:

1. Define nutrition.
2. State two importance of nutrition to humans.
3. List four factors that affect good nutrition.
4. Explain how the following factors influence nutrition:
   • Storage: Proper storage prevents spoilage and ensures a steady food supply.
   • Preservation: Preservation methods like canning prevent food loss and allow future consumption.
   • Income: Higher income enables the purchase of varied and nutritious foods.

Assignment:

1. Weekend Reading: Review pages 1-5 of “Evans Food and Nutrition for Senior Secondary School 1” by F.A. Bakare et al.
2. Pre-Reading Assignment: Research careers in food and nutrition.

Reference Texts:

• “Evans Food and Nutrition for SS1” by F.A Bakare et al.; Evans Brothers Nigeria Ltd.
• “Exam Focus on Foods and Nutrition for WASSCE and SSCE” by J.O Olusanya et al.; University Press.

Evaluation Questions (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions)

1. Food provides our bodies with _______.
   a) water
   b) energy
   c) stones
   d) soil
2. _______ is the science of how the body uses food to sustain life.
   a) Physics
   b) Nutrition
   c) Chemistry
   d) Geography
3. The substance that the body can convert to a vitamin is called _______.
   a) anti-vitamin
   b) pro-vitamin
   c) vitamin C
   d) glucose
4. Malnutrition occurs due to _______.
   a) balanced diet
   b) overeating
   c) poor nutrition
   d) high income
5. Foods in season are usually _______ and affordable.
   a) fresh
   b) expensive
   c) scarce
   d) unhealthy
6. An example of a nutrient obtained from food is _______.
   a) stones
   b) proteins
   c) plastic
   d) metal
7. _______ affects food choices because it limits options.
   a) Happiness
   b) Income
   c) Sleep
   d) Exercise
8. The main source of energy in our diet is _______.
   a) fruits
   b) carbohydrates
   c) water
   d) vitamins
9. _______ is a poor state of nutrition due to lack of a balanced diet.
   a) Malnutrition
   b) Nutrition
   c) Saturation
   d) Deficiency
10. A substance that helps prevent diseases in the body is called _______.
    a) junk food
    b) antineutron
    c) nutrient
    d) pro-vitamin
11. Nutritional requirements vary based on _______.
    a) age
    b) weight
    c) activity level
    d) all of the above
12. One importance of food is _______.
    a) to grow plants
    b) to provide nutrients for health
    c) to create rocks
    d) none of the above
13. _______ is the availability of foods based on time of year.
    a) Off-season
    b) Shelf-life
    c) Seasonality
    d) Production
14. _______ provides building blocks for growth and repair in the body.
    a) Water
    b) Proteins
    c) Minerals
    d) Vitamins
15. A good diet can help _______.
    a) increase expenses
    b) promote health
    c) reduce height
    d) none of the above

Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQs with Answers)

1. What is food?
   Food is any substance consumed to provide nutrients.
2. What is nutrition?
   Nutrition is the study of how the body uses food to sustain life.
3. What is malnutrition?
   Malnutrition is poor nutrition due to insufficient or unbalanced food intake.
4. What is a pro-vitamin?
   A pro-vitamin is a substance the body converts into a vitamin.
5. What is the importance of food in our diet?
   Food provides energy, supports growth, and helps prevent diseases.
6. How does income affect food choices?
   Higher income allows people to buy a greater variety of food.
7. What are foods in season?
   Foods in season are those that grow at a certain time of year and are usually fresher.
8. What is the main source of energy in our diet?
   Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy.
9. What do proteins provide for the body?
   Proteins help with growth and repair.
10. Why is a balanced diet important?
    It provides all the nutrients needed for health.
11. How does malnutrition affect the body?
    It can lead to health problems due to lack of essential nutrients.
12. What does seasonality mean in food?
    It refers to the availability of certain foods at specific times of the year.
13. What are examples of nutrients in food?
    Proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
14. How can a good diet improve health?
    It supports immunity and reduces the risk of disease.
15. What is an antineutron?
    An antineutron is a particle in physics, not directly related to nutrition.

Presentation

Step 1: Revision of Previous Topic

The teacher will review students’ understanding of basic needs for growth, such as food and water.

Step 2: Introduction of New Topic

The teacher introduces “Food and Nutrition,” explaining key terms and discussing the importance of food.

Step 3: Student Contributions and Corrections

The teacher invites students to share examples of foods they think are nutritious. The teacher will correct and clarify where necessary.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain the definitions of food, nutrition, and malnutrition.
• Discuss the importance of food for energy, growth, and health.
• Describe factors affecting food choices, emphasizing seasonal availability.

Learners’ Activities

• Participate by sharing examples of nutritious foods.
• Listen and take notes on key definitions and concepts.
• Ask questions for clarification.

Evaluation Questions (10 Questions)

1. List three basic terms in food and nutrition.
2. Define malnutrition.
3. What is the importance of nutrition?
4. Mention two factors that affect food choices.
5. What is a pro-vitamin?
6. Why is food important for the body?
7. How does income influence food choices?
8. Explain the concept of seasonality in food.
9. How does a balanced diet support health?
10. What nutrient is primarily responsible for energy?

Conclusion

The teacher will go around to mark students’ work and review the answers. Summarize key points, emphasizing why understanding food and nutrition is essential.