Understanding Ingredients: Food, Health, Choices

Year 7 PSHE Learning about ingredients and dietary needs Making informed food choices

What Are Ingredients?

Basic building blocks of food Come from plants, animals, or are processed Each has different nutritional properties Can affect people differently

Key Vocabulary Challenge

Match the word to its meaning: Ingredients - basic parts of food Allergies - harmful reactions to foods Nutrients - substances that nourish us Substitutes - alternative ingredients

Why Ingredient Choice Matters

Health and nutrition needs Food allergies and intolerances Religious and cultural requirements Personal lifestyle choices Environmental considerations

Common Food Allergens

Think About This...

If your friend had a nut allergy, what would you need to check before sharing food with them? How might this affect your ingredient choices when cooking together?

Role-Play Scenarios

Scenario 1: Planning a vegetarian meal Scenario 2: Cooking for someone with lactose intolerance Scenario 3: Preparing food for a friend with celiac disease Work in pairs to solve each challenge!

Smart Ingredient Substitutions

{"left":"Dairy milk → Plant-based milk (oat, soy, almond)\nWheat flour → Rice flour, almond flour\nEggs → Applesauce, flax eggs","right":"Butter → Olive oil, coconut oil\nMeat → Beans, lentils, tofu\nNuts → Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin)"}

Making Informed Choices

Read ingredient labels carefully Ask about dietary needs when cooking for others Research unfamiliar ingredients Keep an open mind about new foods Respect others' food choices

Lesson Summary

"Understanding ingredients helps us make choices that keep everyone safe, healthy, and included at the table."