Fueling Life: Nutrition for Every Stage
Understanding nutritional needs across the lifespan Year 10 Health & Physical Education Food Technology Theory Unit
Learning Objectives
WALT: Understand how nutritional needs vary across different life stages WALT: Identify the four food groups and their functions WALT: Plan balanced meals for different age groups WALT: Develop meal planning strategies to reduce costs and waste
The Four Food Groups Foundation
Grains & Cereals - energy and B vitamins Vegetables & Fruits - vitamins, minerals, and fiber Milk & Dairy - calcium and protein for bones Meat & Alternatives - protein and iron for growth
Food Group Detective Challenge
Work in pairs to sort 20 food cards into the four groups Discuss why some foods might fit into multiple categories Identify which group is missing from your breakfast today Create a balanced meal using all four groups
Nutritional Needs Across Life Stages
Why Different People, Different Needs?
{"left":"Pregnant women need extra folate to prevent birth defects\nIron prevents anemia during pregnancy\nTeenagers require more calcium for growing bones\nProtein supports rapid muscle development in teens","right":"Children need smaller portions but nutrient-dense foods\nVariety helps children develop healthy eating habits\nElderly people need easily digestible proteins\nB12 and fiber become more important with age"}
Think & Discuss
What might happen if a teenager only ate from 2 food groups? Why might an elderly person need different portion sizes? How could you modify a family meal for a pregnant mother? What foods would you recommend for strong bones?
Smart Meal Planning Benefits
Saves money by reducing impulse purchases Reduces food waste through planned portions Ensures balanced nutrition across the week Saves time with organized shopping and prep Helps maintain healthy eating habits
Design a Weekly Menu
Choose your target person: pregnant woman, teenager, child, or elderly Plan 3 days of meals including all food groups Calculate approximate costs using local supermarket prices Identify strategies to reduce waste Present your menu to another pair for feedback
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
Four food groups provide different essential nutrients Nutritional needs change throughout life stages Meal planning saves money and reduces waste Practical cooking skills support healthy eating Next lesson: Hands-on meal preparation for teenagers