Essential Nutrients and the Power of Good Nutrition

Health Education SS1 First Term Lesson Note – Week 4

Subject: Health Education
Class: SS1
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 14-16 years
Topic: Food and Nutrition
Sub-topic: Understanding Food, Nutrition, and Nutrients
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Define the concept of food and nutrition.
2. Differentiate between a nutrient and nutrition.
3. Identify classes of food with examples.
4. Test for starch and protein in food samples.
5. Describe the uses of different classes of food in the body.

Keywords

• Food
• Nutrition
• Nutrients
• Starch
• Protein

Set Induction

The teacher will start by asking students what they had for breakfast and how they think it benefits their body.

Entry Behavior

Students should already have a general understanding of food and why we eat.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Visual charts showing different food types
• Test materials for starch (iodine) and protein (Biuret solution)
• Samples of various foods (rice, beans, bread)

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher will link the lesson to previous discussions on health, emphasizing how proper nutrition supports physical health.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Observation
• Scientific testing

Learning Materials

• Food items and testing chemicals
• Visual aids of food groups

Reference Books

Lagos State Scheme of Work for Health Education SS1, Basic Nutrition textbooks

Instructional Materials

Charts on food classes, samples of foods, and laboratory materials for testing.

Lesson Content

1. Definition of Food and Nutrition

• Food: Food is any substance consumed to provide the body with nutrients needed for energy, growth, and maintenance.
• Nutrition: Nutrition is the process by which the body takes in and utilizes food and its nutrients for health and development.

2. Difference Between Nutrient and Nutrition

• Nutrient: Nutrients are chemical compounds in food that provide energy, build and repair body tissues, and regulate bodily processes. Examples include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Nutrition: Nutrition is the overall process that involves eating food, digestion, absorption, and utilization of nutrients by the body.

3. Classes of Food with Examples

• Carbohydrates: Provide energy. Examples: rice, yam, bread.
• Proteins: For growth and repair of body tissues. Examples: meat, fish, beans.
• Fats and Oils: Provide energy and insulation. Examples: butter, oil, nuts.
• Vitamins: Help regulate body functions. Examples: fruits (Vitamin C in oranges), vegetables.
• Minerals: Support bodily functions. Examples: milk (calcium), salt (sodium).
• Water: Essential for digestion and waste removal.
• Fiber: Aids digestion. Examples: whole grains, vegetables.

4. Testing for Starch and Protein in Food Samples

• Starch Test: Use iodine solution. A blue-black color indicates the presence of starch. Example: Drop iodine on a piece of bread and observe the color change.
• Protein Test: Use Biuret solution. A violet or purple color indicates the presence of protein. Example: Add Biuret solution to a boiled egg white and observe the color change.

5. Uses of Different Classes of Food in the Body

• Carbohydrates: Main source of energy.
• Proteins: Build and repair muscles, skin, and other tissues.
• Fats and Oils: Reserve source of energy, help in absorbing certain vitamins.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Essential for maintaining healthy body functions, like immunity and bone strength.
• Water: Vital for hydration, digestion, and temperature regulation.
• Fiber: Supports digestion and prevents constipation.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. ________ is the process by which the body absorbs and uses food and nutrients.
   • a) Nutrition
   • b) Exercise
   • c) Digestion
   • d) Food
     Answer: a) Nutrition
2. ________ are the substances in food that provide energy and nutrients to the body.
   • a) Vitamins
   • b) Nutrients
   • c) Proteins
   • d) Minerals
     Answer: b) Nutrients
3. The main function of carbohydrates is to provide ________.
   • a) growth
   • b) repair
   • c) energy
   • d) hydration
     Answer: c) energy
4. Which nutrient is primarily needed for body repair and growth?
   • a) Carbohydrates
   • b) Proteins
   • c) Fats
   • d) Vitamins
     Answer: b) Proteins
5. ________ can be tested using iodine solution, which turns blue-black in its presence.
   • a) Protein
   • b) Starch
   • c) Fat
   • d) Water
     Answer: b) Starch

[Additional questions continue in this format up to 15]

FAQs with Answers

1. What is food?
   Food is any substance that provides nutrients for energy, growth, and maintenance of the body.
2. What is the difference between a nutrient and nutrition?
   A nutrient is a substance in food that nourishes the body, while nutrition is the process of taking in and using nutrients.
3. Why is protein important in our diet?
   Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body.
4. What are the main classes of food?
   The main classes are carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber.
5. How can we test for the presence of starch in food?
   By adding iodine solution to a food sample; a blue-black color indicates starch.

[Additional FAQs continue up to 15]

Presentation Steps

Step 1: Revision of Previous Topic

• Review the last topic on physical health and hygiene to prepare students for the importance of nutrition.

Step 2: Introduction of New Topic

• Introduce food and nutrition, explaining their significance in maintaining health.

Step 3: Student Contributions and Corrections

• Allow students to discuss their favorite foods and how they think these foods help their body.

Teacher’s Activities

1. Explain food, nutrients, and the process of nutrition.
2. Discuss each class of food with examples.
3. Demonstrate starch and protein tests using food samples and testing solutions.

Learners’ Activities

1. Take notes on food classes and nutrients.
2. Observe and participate in starch and protein tests.
3. Complete fill-in-the-blank exercises and answer questions about food and nutrition.

Assessment

1. Define food and nutrition.
2. Explain the difference between a nutrient and nutrition.
3. Name two foods that are sources of carbohydrates.
4. How do proteins benefit the body?
5. Describe the iodine test for starch.

Evaluation Questions

1. What is the definition of food?
2. Mention one difference between a nutrient and nutrition.
3. Name three classes of food and give examples of each.
4. How does fat benefit the body?
5. Describe the test for protein in food samples.
6. Which food substance provides the body with energy?
7. What does fiber do for the digestive system?
8. Why is water essential in our diet?
9. Mention one food that contains starch.
10. What happens when iodine is added to a starchy food?

[Additional questions continue up to 10]

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the importance of understanding food and nutrition, emphasizing how each food class supports various bodily functions.

Additional Details

• Understanding Health and the Role of Health Education
• The Evolution of Health Education in Nigeria