Overview

This lesson helps students understand that fat is a nutrient, food sources of fat and heart healthy food choices that are lower in fat.

 

Objectives

• Students will identify food sources of fat in the diet.
• Students will recognize fat has a role in our diet.
• Students will identify foods lower in fat and associate these with a healthy heart.

 

Materials

Print off copies of the Fats: Good and Bad worksheet.

Worksheets: Download worksheets. Included with worksheets is a full PDF version of the same lesson plan. (782KB PDF)

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the worksheets.

 

Lesson

Students complete the Fats: Good and Bad worksheet while talking points are presented.

 

Teacher Talking Points

Everyone seems to think fat is bad, but guess what? We couldn't live without it. Fat is a nutrient you need a LITTLE of every day. Fat is found in the foods you eat. Look at the picture of My Pyramid - find the yellow stripe.

The yellow stripe represents foods with fat and oils.

• Is the yellow stripe smaller or bigger than the orange stripe (grains)?
• Is the yellow stripe smaller or bigger than the green stripe (vegetables)?
• Is the yellow stripe smaller or bigger than the red stripe (fruits)?
• Is the yellow stripe smaller or bigger than the blue stripe (milk)?
• Is the yellow stripe smaller or bigger than the purple stripe (meat and beans)?

The yellow stripe (fats and oils) is smaller than any food group on the pyramid. What does this mean? You need a LITTLE fat every day, but not a LOT. Why do you need a LITTLE fat in your diet? Fat helps your brain think. Fat gives you energy to grow!

Guide students in the recognition exercise selecting foods called "fats" on the worksheet. Foods in other food groups can also have fat. It is important to choose foods that are low in fat. This is par t of being healthy and having a healthy heart.

Complete the EAT SMART section of the worksheet together.

Heart Healthy tips to emphasize:

• Chicken and Fish - baked not fried; remove skin from chicken before baking.
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) - low fat.
• Almonds - a good fat (not saturated), better for your heart.

Resources

• http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/mpk_poster.pdf
• http://www.americanheart.org