Balanced Diets

The objective of this lesson is to help students understand what is meant by the term ‘balanced diet’ and how energy requirements vary with activity levels, age and pregnancy. This lesson builds upon prior knowledge that a balanced diet should include appropriate proportions of carbohydrate, protein, lipid, vitamins, minerals, water and dietary fibre. Students begin by critiquing BMI as a indication of healthy body mass before considering how and why energy requirements vary from person to person. The lesson encourages students to consider what happens if they don’t get the right amount of the right nutrients, and includes a possible homework activity, to design a TV advert on behalf of the government to encourage young people to eat a balanced diet.