Introduction

You are what you eat. How would you respond to this statement. Come along! Browse through these web links to be: enlightened, educated, entertained, and to set your mind thinking about tomorrow's meal today.

Based upon what each of you will learn about a balanced diet and other nutritional facts you will be in a better positon to make sensible decision about what you and your family eat and appreciate the value in the variety of foods in your environment. You will also be more aware of what makes your body ticks and want to explore further information about your nutritional needs for a healthy lifestyle.

In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to learn all about A Balanced Diet. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic then do a project to share your what you have learned with others.

The Quest

What is the importance of eating a balance diet?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about A Balanced Diet. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In your groups access the website http://www.purchon.com/biology/diet.htm

2. Read through the text on A Balanced Diet. While you read focus on the different parts of a balance diet.

3. After reading answer the folling questions.
Why does the body need proteins?
Name three foods which provide the body with protein?
What is the meaning of carbohydrates?
What food provie carbohydrates?
Why does the body need carbohydrates?
What are the nutrients that make a balance diet?

4. Re-group for whole class discussion to complete KWL chart on What we learn about a balance diet. In your journal draw or collect pictures to show your favorite meal and identify the food(s) that provide the nutrients for your diet.

role, job or perspective #1

Use the Internet information linked below A Balanced Diet to to answer these questions.

1. What is a Balanced Diet?

• Definition of a Healthy Balanced diet
• A Balanced Diet - This site gives a detail description of the food groups that make up a balanced diet.
• Food Facts - TThis is a very colorful site for students with links to explain each food group and activities for food experiment, games an worksheets for students.

role, job or perspective #2

In your groups access the website http://www.veggie-mon.org/.../food pyramid_fp.gif. Clioc on Nutrition.
Group 1 Look at the food pyramid then label the sections correctly on your sheet.
Group 2 Click on Nutrition and list each food group and the daily food serving for each group.
Group 3 Write the each food group and one food item that provides a daily serving
Group 4 What food group is the largest part of the pyramid and why? List foods you eat that fall under this group.

1. What is a daily serving of food?

• The Food Pyramid - Displays a graphical presentation of the food pyramid allowing the user to see the propotion of each nutrient for the diet
• The Food Guide Pyramid - This is a kids friendly site with many graphical illustrations and activities to entertain and educate the user.
• Interactive Food Guide Pyramid - This site has evaluation activities such as quizes and other things to reinforce content while you browse.

role, job or perspective #3

Access the website http://www.quakeroatmeal.com/wellness/Articles/HE_Food labels.cfm. Read the nutritional facts shown on the label. Click on the different food values such as calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein and read the information.Print a copy of the label. Return to your desk in your groups and read the labels for each food item in the collection ( juice boxes, chips, fruit drink boxes, Complete the blank spreadsheet by filing in the names of the product and the amount og sugar, fats and calories they contain.

1.What do we learn from food labels?

• How to read food labels - The site provides information on the different parts of a food label.
• Food values per serving - Explains the concept of a daily serving for each of the food groups.
• What to look for when reading food labels - Gives on example of a food label explains what percentage of the daily serving the each nutritional fact represents. and the percentage nutritional v

role, job or perspective #4

Use the Internet information linked below to explore and
compare the traditional diets of different cultures.(Click
on a cultural group).
Then discuss in your groups your likes and dislikes of
foods.
What food you and your family eat for special celebration.
What food you would prepare for Thanksgiving.
How is food in America different from other countries.

1.What are some of the factors that influence what people
eat?

• Exploring Cultural Sensitivity - This site gives a listing of different cultural groups on which the user clicks to view information on food pyramids and other food practices.
• Diversity
• Nutrition Facts - Summarizes the basic ideas that everyone should know about eating right.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of A Balanced Diet. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with what they have learned about diet and nutrition and prepare a scrapbook on Promoting healthy eating habits. You will also display information by constructing a graph on nutritional value in different brands of snacks, and juices. You will write in your journals how you will use this knowledge to make better food choices. You will plan a balanced breakfast for the class.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot about the importance of a healthy balanced diet.
Now's the time to put your learning into a project that will educate and enlighten others of the value they get from the foods they eat and the different sources of nutrients.
Together you will will write a letter to a Nitritionists letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained and invite him/her to come and give a talk on Promoting healthy eating habits to your school family.

2. You will also design a poster to promote healthy eating
in your school.
3. Create a graphic illustration of the Food Pyramid using pictures grocery coupons.
4. Collect labels of food served at your school cafeteria and highlight the nutritional values.

Your Contact is: Edith Blackwood

Conclusion

So do you agree with the statement you are what you eat.
Can you help to make the grocery list for the family and ensure all the nutrients are accounted for in the right amount?
Were you one of those persons who hate to eat vegetables? Oh! you had so much candy during Halloween now you are wondering if that was a smart choice. Whatever is your concern about eating the right foods this webquest should have provided you with a clearer picture of the importance of the food you eat to your body. Now you all know a lot more. You should be proud of yourselves! What other parts of A Balanced Diet could still be explored? Continue the quest for proper nutrition. It pays to eat right. Remember, learning never stops.