Healthy Eating Case Study Learning Activities – Vitamins and Minerals 15 Minutes
Case Studies – Nutrients 15 Minutes What you need: 1. ‘Vitamins’ and ‘Minerals’ presentations to be carried out prior to activity. 2. 6 case studies printed out for individual pupils. 3. Answers
Introduction and Background Information to the Session To be as healthy as we can be we must eat a balance of all foods. Vitamins and minerals are essential to the body therefore by eating a variety of foods and lots of fruits and vegetables we can provide our bodies with a balance of the essential vitamins and minerals. Key vitamins and minerals in the body are: • Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. • Iron • Calcium • Sodium
Delivering the Session Adjust the approach according to the level and to learners’ prior knowledge.
1.
Go through the ‘vitamins’ and ‘minerals’ presentations.
2.
Encourage discussion of the content of each presentation and allow time for learners to ask questions.
3.
Organise the activity so that learners work individually or with a partner or in groups.
4.
Decide whether to ask learners to look at all the case studies or to divide them between the class.
5.
Hand out one or more the case studies as appropriate (keep the answers separate and do not let learners see them until the activity is completed).
6.
Ask the learners (working individually or in pairs/groups) to read through each case study allocated and identify what nutrient is missing. Some learners will benefit if the teacher reads out each case study to the class first.
7.
Once the activity is completed, go through each case study asking learners for their answers and how they reached them.
8.
Confirm the correct answers, giving additional explanations as necessary.
Can you work out the missing nutrients? Fast Food Phil •16-year-old Phil often eats in fast food restaurants. •He always orders a hamburger, fries and a cola. •His doctor is worried that Phil’s diet won’t help his bones grow. •He hardly ever drinks milk. WHAT NUTRIENT IS MISSING FROM PHIL’S DIET? …………………………………………………………….
Sleepy Sara •Sue is a 15-year-old who doesn’t eat grains or meat. •She often feels tired and sluggish. •Her doctor says her red blood cell count is too low. WHAT NUTRIENT IS MISSING FROM SUE’S DIET? ……………………………………………………………….
Bruiser Billie •Bill, a busy 18-year-old, is worried because his cuts and bruises never seem to heal. •He gets more colds and infections than his friends. •He won’t eat fruit and vegetables. WHAT NUTRIENT IS MISSING FROM BILL’S DIET? …………………………………………………………………
Squinting Simon •Simon’s skin is dry and scaly all the time. •He also has trouble seeing at night. •Simon doesn’t like to eat dark green or yellow vegetables, especially carrots. WHAT NUTRIENT IS MISSING FROM SIMON’S DIET? ………………………………………………………………….
Cloudy Casey •Caroline is a 17-year-old gymnast who drinks diet fizzy drinks instead of milk. •Her mother is worried Caroline may eventually get osteoporosis like her Grandmother. •She may not be getting enough sunshine WHAT NUTRIENT IS MISSING FROM CAROLINE’S DIET? ……………………………………………………………………..
Answers Fast Food Phil •
The missing nutrient is CALCIUM
Sleepy Sara •
The missing nutrient is IRON.
Bruiser Billie •
The missing nutrient is VITAMIN C.
Squinting Simon •
The missing nutrient is VITMIN A.
Cloudy Casey •
The missing nutrient is VITAMIN D.