Introduction
Planning meals is hard work! Doing it well so that everyone's nutritional and calorie needs are met is even harder! In the past, people just ate what they had but, as science has progressed, so has our knowledge of proper nutrition. Fads come and go, and scientific findings change; it can be confusing to know what to eat! But, armed with nutrition knowledge, careful planning, and consideration of your stage of life, you can make informed decisions that keep you healthy throughout your life!
This used to be common sense but as families became more mobile, more involved in work and other activities outside the home and grabbing food has become more convenient, cooking and menu planning has fallen out of favor. Even if you never cook, you still need to plan to eat nutritious foods that meet your energy needs.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...
- Describe the benefits and drawbacks of various types of menus used in meal planning.
- Identify components of a well-balanced meal.
Essential Questions
- What food groups should be included in a meal?
- What nutrient needs change for the different lifecycle stages?
Enduring Understandings
- Nutrition professionals have tools and resources to aid in menu planning.
- A well-balanced meal provides a variety of nutrients.
- Healthy meals are made of various food groups.
- Different food groups contribute different nutrients.
The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Dietetics standards: 6, 7.