This document provides a 3-part presentation on healthy eating and nutrition. It discusses the different types of fats and carbohydrates, identifying saturated fats and refined carbohydrates as the least healthy. It emphasizes that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, along with complex carbohydrates from foods like fruits and vegetables, are important for a nutritious diet. The document also identifies various vitamins, minerals, and "superfoods" that promote overall health and cognitive functioning.

1. 1
Eating for Survival:
Food for Thought
ELA Grades 6-8
A Common Core Unit
By: Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Georgia Berry, M.A.
Copyright Protected © 2013 Dean R. Berry
All Rights Reserved
No part of this document may be reproduced without written permission from the author.

2. Diet and Health
2

3. Part One
View, Read, and Think

4. 4
What smells
great and tastes
even better?

5. 5
Deep Fried Foods
High Fat

6. Class Discussion
What is your favorite
deep fried food?
6

7. Check out some of America’s
favorite foods.
7

8. Deep Fried to a Crispy
Golden Brown With a
Heavenly Smell

9. Deep Fried Hot Dogs with
High Carb Batter

10. Pastries Loaded with
Sugar and Fat
10

11. Buffalo Wings with 40% Fat
40% Bone and20%Meat

12. 12
Is all that fat in foods
unhealthy?
Let’s take a closer look

13. There are three types of fat.
13

14. 14
Types of Fat
Saturated
Red meat, pastries, deep fried, chips, cheese, and ice cream
Polyunsaturated
Corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, and canola oil
Monounsaturated
Fish, nuts, olives, and avocados

15. Class Discussion
Which of the three types
of fat do think is the least
healthy?
Explain why.
15

16.  The body needs four major macronutrients in order
to provide cells with the fuel necessary for efficient
functioning and survival. Those key nutrient
categories include carbohydrates, fats, proteins,
and water. If the body is missing any one of these
for an extended period of time, the sustenance
required for survival would be compromised and
body tissue would begin dying.
16

17.  Although the body needs fatty acids in order to
function, all fats are not created equal. Some fats
are far better for the body than others. Saturated
fats, derived primarily from animal products, must
be consumed in restricted amounts to avoid their
dire effects on the body. Foods that are high in
saturated fat create higher cholesterol levels in the
bloodstream.
17

18. Class Discussion
What kinds of foods do you eat on
a regular basis that are high in
saturated fat?
18

19. The saturated fat in red meat, cheese, ice cream, bakery
products, and deep fried foods can be unhealthy. While some
cholesterol is required for proper body functioning, too much
LDL cholesterol causes inflammation in the body and creates
fatty deposits in the arteries. These fatty plaques harden the
walls of the arteries and create blockages that can result in
heart attacks and strokes.
19

20. 20
As you can see, too much saturated fat in our diet can be
harmful to our arteries and contribute to serious, life
threatening diseases. However, there is one substance that is
worse than saturated fat. Thirty or forty years ago, food
producers began using trans fat in many products in place
of saturated fat to provide longer shelf life. Unfortunately,
research determined a few years ago that trans fat is far
more detrimental to health than saturated and is responsible
for dramatically increasing cardiovascular disease in America.
Trans fat substantially increases cholesterol in the arteries.

21. Class Discussion
How do you find out if a product
has trans fat in it?
What is cardiovascular disease?
How can it kill people?
21

22. 22

23.  There are two other types of fats that are healthy
to eat. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats
should not be treated the same as saturated fat.
Both of these fats can decrease the bad LDL
cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Also,
eating foods like nuts, fish, peanut butter, and
vegetable oil can increase the good cholesterol
called HDL.
23

24. The healthy cholesterol, HDL, is very helpful for the
body because it absorbs the harmful cholesterol and
improves the health of the arteries. Good cholesterol can
be found in monounsaturated foods high in omega 3
fatty acids. Foods like shrimp, avocadoes, fish, and
certain nuts are high in omega 3.
24

25. Class Discussion
How can you find out your
cholesterol levels?
Do you know anyone with high
cholesterol?
What can you do if you have high
cholesterol?
25

26. 26

27.  Saturated fat is not the only macronutrient
that people should monitor in their daily
diet. In fact, carbohydrates may be
more closely related to the development
of major, killer diseases.
27

28. Class Discussion
Is all bread and pasta
healthy for daily
consumption?
What can be done to make
them healthier?
28

29.  Other than fats, the body
needs carbohydrates and
proteins. Carbohydrates
include complex carbs
and simple carbs. Just as
there are good and bad
fats, there are also good
and bad carbs. The
problem for most
Americans is that they
have a penchant for
including more and more
simple carbohydrates in
their daily diets.
29

30.  Current research is
pointing a finger directly at
refined foods and simple
carbohydrates as having
an adverse effect on
millions of American’s
health. In fact, many
health experts suggest
that people who eat high
carb diets do so at their
own peril. Eating
doughnuts, chips, pastries
and french fries on a daily
basis is definitely noxious
for one’s health. 30

31. 31

32. Class Discussion
 Why is white bread and pasta much less
healthy than whole wheat?
 What happens to simple carbohydrates in
the human body?
 What diseases can be made worse with
too many simple carbs in the diet?
32

33. Not all carbohydrates are unhealthy for daily dietary
intake. More complex carbohydrates require a longer
digestion process and release their glucose more slowly
helping the body maintain a more constant glucose
level. Good carbs include foods like fruits, whole grain
foods, and vegetables. These foods provide the fuel the
body needs to be energetic.
33

34.  Some complex carbohydrates are excellent sources of fiber.
Fiber in the diet reduces the rate of sugar absorption into the
bloodstream and facilitates healthy digestion in the intestines.
One type of fiber, such as that found in beans, fruits, and oats,
is soluble in water and plays a significant role in maintaining
glucose levels in the blood. The other type of fiber is insoluble in
water and is only partially absorbed by the body while the rest
is excreted. Insoluble fiber, commonly found in nuts, whole
wheat, and vegetables, provides many health benefits.
34

35. Class Discussion
 Which countries or areas of the world do
you think have the healthiest populations?
 Why do think those areas have the lowest
incidences of major diseases like cancer,
diabetes, and heart disease?
35

36.  Studies of health and longevity have provided some
interesting information about diet. People in certain
cultures where diets only include plant based foods
have much longer life spans. Even more impressive, in
parts of China where diets are plant based, cancer and
heart disease do not exist. The highest rates for these
diseases occur in more prosperous countries where
most people eat refined food, meat, and fast food.
36

37. Class Discussion
 What nutrient is found in meat, nuts,
beans, and dairy products and must be
consumed daily to maintain proper health?
 Why is this macronutrient critical for body
functioning?
37

38.  The other macronutrient that the body must have on a
regular basis is protein. Proteins, which are made of
amino acids, cannot be stored by the body like fats
and sugars. As a result, protein must be part of a daily
diet. Proteins found in meat, eggs, beans, and dairy
products must be consumed daily in order to maintain
good health. Our cells need to be properly nourished
on a regular basis.
38

39. 39
Food contains other important nutrients such as vitamins
and minerals that our bodies require to function properly.
Scientists call these nutrients micronutrients since they are
absorbed by the body in very small quantities. Dietary
minerals such as iron potassium and iodine are necessary
to prevent diseases like goiters or anemia. In addition, the
body requires macrominerals such as calcium, magnesium,
and sodium to function properly.

40. Class Discussion
Do you know anyone who takes
calcium supplements?
Why do we need calcium?
Do you ever feel dizzy when you stand
up quickly?
If you are anemic, which mineral
supplement should you take?
40

41. 41

42. Class Discussion
What is another nutrient that can
be taken in pill form?
Do these really help the body very
much?
42

43. 43

44. Class Discussion
Do vitamin pills really help
replace a lack of vitamins in
your daily diet?
Should you take daily vitamins?
44

45. Bright veggies contain many healthy
phytochemicals that function as
antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce free
radicals and enable cells and tissue
to live longer. *

46.  Bright fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, cranberries,
and cherries contain powerful antioxidants which help
balance the production of free radicals during the oxidation
process of a cell. Without the action of antioxidants, cells
incur increased damage and earlier death than normal.
Eating foods rich in antioxidants makes body cells less
vulnerable to disease and early demise.
46

47. For the most part, research during the last
several years does not support the efficacy
of daily vitamin use for most people. A
large number of studies suggests that people
demonstrate far more health benefits from
eating highly nutritious foods with ample
vitamin content.
47

48. Discuss
How many super
healthy foods can you
name?
48

49. Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for the proper functioning
of the body. Fortunately, fifteen or twenty minutes of
sunlight will provide the necessary amount of vitamin D
that most people require.
49

50. 50

51. However, if it’s a rainy day, grab a few
mushrooms to munch on. They have
an abundant supply of vitamin D.
51

52. Class Discussion
Which foods do you think are so
healthy that they are referred to as
super foods?
52

53. Super Foods?
Some foods have so many minerals,
vitamins, and special nutrients that they are
often referred to as Super Foods.
Research suggests that eating a daily diet
with these foods will reduce human diseases
and increase longevity.
53

54. Can you name these super
foods? Make a list. *

55. 55

56. Let’s review some very
healthy foods.
56

57. 57
Which of the following foods do you eat on
a regular basis?

58. Almonds are loaded with
important nutrients.

59. Brighter colors mean higher
amounts of antioxidants.
*

60. Green vegetables provide extremely valuable
nutrients and a good source of fiber.

61. 61
Super healthy foods
should be included in
every daily diet.

62. All legumes provide
great nutrition.

63. Chilies have super nutrients!

64. Berries are always tasty, nutritious,
and healthy.

65. 65

66. Eat them fresh, cook them, or
blend them for great taste.

67. Improving overall health is a great reward for eating a nutritious
diet. But recent research suggests that a healthy diet may also
improve brain function. Several studies have demonstrated that
highly nutritious diets result in improved cognitive functioning
such as memory and the ability to process and retain academic
information. Although motivation and study habits are essential
for good academic progress, eating a super healthy diet may
actually make a significant difference in school performance.
67

68. 68
Check-up and Review
Raise your green card if you believe
the statement is true or your red
card if you think it is false.

69. 69
True or False-1
All types of fats
are unhealthy to
eat.

70. 70
False-1

71. 71
True or False-2
Egg yolks, cheese,
and red meat
create high levels
of cholesterol in
the human body.

72. 72
True-2

73. 73
True or False-3
Refined grain and
refined breads are
healthy additions
to a good diet.

74. 74
False-3

75. 75
True or False-4
Regardless of your
daily diet, it is very
important to take
vitamin pills
everyday.

76. 76
False-4

77. 77
True or False-5
A few minutes in the
sun every day
provides people with
their daily vitamin D
requirement.

78. 78
True-5

79. 79
True or False-6
Cinnamon,
sardines, cumin,
and olive oil are
considered super
health foods.

80. 80
True-6

81. 81
True or False-7
Lead, mercury, and
iron are very
important minerals
for a healthy body.

82. 82
False-7

83. 83
True or False-8
Vitamins A, E, D,
C, and B are very
important vitamins
in a healthy diet.

84. 84
True-8

85. Class Assignment
 The previous presentation contained
higher level vocabulary words. During the
course of this unit, you will be studying
these words in several exercises and
learning to use them as you complete
writing tasks.
85

86. Critical Terms and Vocabulary
Study the following
terms and vocabulary
as they relate to the
main ideas presented
in your selected
sources.
V

87. Vocabulary Practice
 The following words were highlighted during the prior
presentation. Use the Merriam-Webster.com online dictionary
or regular dictionary, and write a definition for each of the
following words. Review activities for these words will be
included later in this unit.
 sustenance compromised derived consumed
 dire inflammation cholesterol detrimental
 cardiovascular monounsaturated polyunsaturated
 penchant peril noxious efficacy facilities
 vulnerable demise incur longevity cognitive