Students prepare a chart for recording the foods they eat for an
entire week. First they divide the chart into columns for the days of the week and list everything eaten on each day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and between-meal snacks. Then, using a book of caloric values, they look up and record the corresponding number of calories contained in each of the foods. These numbers are then added together to determine the total number of calories for each day.
At the end of the week the students calculate the average number of calories per day and compare this number with that calculated for a classmate. Students can compare caloric intake by students who are of the same size and age and consider other factors such as exercise and physical activity.
A discussion should ensue concerning metabolic rate, how calories are burned off by activity etc. Students can keep a food journal for several weeks to examine their own eating habits and compare them to others. They should ask questions of themselves such as:
Do I eat a variety of foods that are healthy for me?
Do I eat foods high in fat? High in sugar?
How does exercise affect my appetite?
How does weather affect my appetite"
Do I tend to consume more calories when I am happy or sad?
Or isnt there any correlation?
Keeping a journal along with the chart will help students to recognize their own good and bad habits concerning health.
