Carrie Derr

SLM 521

December 4, 2003

 

Eat Right, Stay Healthy
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


            During the past couple weeks we have been learning about nutrition and why it is important to eat a healthy diet.  As we have discussed, a healthy diet contains foods from the 5 food groups, 6 if you count the fats/sweets group.  Proper nutrition is necessary to remain healthy so that we feel good throughout the day.  When we lack some nutrients, we may feel sleepy, sluggish or just “blah.”  We are also more likely to get sick because our bodies are not able to fight off illnesses.

 

            Today we are going to look again at a food pyramid and answer a few questions.  Then, over the next several days, we are going to keep track of everything that we eat to determine if we’re maintaining proper nutrition.  To organize our data, we will use a chart to list all the foods we eat and which food group they are found in.  At the end of the 5th day we will review the week to see if we’re eating a balanced diet.  We will check what we ate each day with the recommended servings on the food guide pyramid.  Some of us may be surprised with what we find!

 

            First, go to the website http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/Fpyr/pmap.htm  and read the information provided.  When finished, answer the following questions:

 

1.        Is the food pyramid a guide or something to be followed rigidly?

2.        Is it a daily guide?  Should we eat the amounts listed each day?

3.        How many servings of the dairy group should we eat every day?

4.        If I ate 2 apples in one day, would that be enough fruit?  Why or why not?

5.        Which food group would soda fit under?

6.        Click on the vegetable food group.  If I cook my peppers and squash in an olive oil sauce, would that be as healthy as eating them raw?  Why or why not?

7.        What could we eat in place of meat for one serving each day?  (hint:  look at the vegetable section)

 

Now that you’ve answered the questions, begin filling out the chart (provided by the teacher) by listing under the

Appropriate food group the foods you’ve eaten today.  Tomorrow you will continue the chart by adding what you ate for dinner and an evening snack as well as the food you eat during that day.  This will proceed for 5 days, at which time we will review the chart and determine if we’re eating a balanced diet.