The Six Essential Nutrients: Lesson Plan And Worksheet | Health ... - Free Printable

This worksheet is designed to help students analyze the nutritional value of a product they like. Below, I will explain how to approach each section of the worksheet with an example product: chocolate milk.

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Step-by-Step Solution

#### 1. Choose one product you like. Read the ingredient list and nutrition facts.
- Product: Chocolate Milk
- Ingredient List: Milk, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, artificial flavoring, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3.
- Nutrition Facts (per 8 fl oz serving):
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 5g (7% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 3g (15% DV)
- Cholesterol: 20mg (7% DV)
- Sodium: 140mg (6% DV)
- Total Carbohydrates: 23g (8% DV)
- Sugars: 23g
- Protein: 8g

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#### 2. What are good things about this product?
- Good Things:
- Protein Content: Provides 8 grams of protein per serving, which is beneficial for muscle repair and growth.
- Calcium: Contains calcium, which is essential for bone health.
- Vitamins: Fortified with vitamins A and D, which support vision and immune function.
- Flavor: Tastes delicious and can make drinking milk more appealing, especially for children or those who dislike plain milk.

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#### 3. What are bad things about this product?
- Bad Things:
- High Sugar Content: Contains 23 grams of sugar per serving, which is equivalent to about 6 teaspoons of added sugar. This can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and increased risk of diabetes if consumed in excess.
- Added Artificial Ingredients: Includes artificial flavoring and preservatives, which may not be as healthy as natural alternatives.
- Saturated Fat: Contains 3 grams of saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol levels if consumed in large amounts.
- Caloric Density: While it provides nutrients, the high calorie content means it should be consumed in moderation.

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#### 4. What nutrition grade should this product get? (examples: A, B+, C–).
- Nutrition Grade: B–
- Reasoning: Chocolate milk offers some nutritional benefits, such as protein, calcium, and vitamins. However, its high sugar content and added artificial ingredients detract from its overall nutritional value. It is better than sugary sodas but not as healthy as plain milk or unsweetened alternatives.

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#### 5. Picture of the product
- Picture: Draw or attach an image of chocolate milk. This could be a bottle, carton, or glass of chocolate milk.

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#### 6. What do you think is a healthier alternative to this product?
- Healthier Alternative:
- Plain Milk: Plain milk contains all the nutritional benefits of chocolate milk (protein, calcium, vitamins) without the added sugars and artificial ingredients.
- Low-Sugar Chocolate Milk: Some brands offer low-sugar versions of chocolate milk, which reduce the sugar content while maintaining the taste.
- Homemade Chocolate Milk: Mix plain milk with a small amount of cocoa powder and a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup for more control over the ingredients.
- Almond Milk or Soy Milk with Cocoa Powder: For those who are lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based options, almond milk or soy milk mixed with cocoa powder can be a healthy alternative.

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Final Answer

Here’s how the completed worksheet might look:

1. Product: Chocolate Milk
- Ingredient List: Milk, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, artificial flavoring, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3.
- Nutrition Facts: 150 calories, 5g fat, 23g sugar, 8g protein, etc.

2. Good Things:
- Provides protein for muscle repair.
- Contains calcium for bone health.
- Fortified with vitamins A and D.
- Delicious flavor makes drinking milk more appealing.

3. Bad Things:
- High sugar content (23g per serving).
- Contains artificial flavoring and preservatives.
- High in saturated fat (3g).
- Calorie-dense.

4. Nutrition Grade: B–

5. Picture of the Product: [Insert image of chocolate milk]

6. Healthier Alternative:
- Plain milk.
- Low-sugar chocolate milk.
- Homemade chocolate milk with natural sweeteners.
- Almond milk or soy milk with cocoa powder.

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Boxed Final Answer

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