Fueling Your Body: Understanding Macronutrients and Micronutrients

• Food Technology
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Fueling Your Body: Understanding Macronutrients and Micronutrients

Fact finding....

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the 3 macronutrients, their functions and sources. You will also know the functions and sources of the micronutrient minerals calcium and iron, as well as the functions and sources of the micronutrient vitamins A, B group, C and D.

Make sure to emphasize the learning objectives at the beginning of the lesson to keep students on track.

What do you already know about the nutrients your body needs to function properly?

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are nutrients that provide energy to the body. The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Provide examples of common foods that fall under each macronutrient.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy. Sources of carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, grains, and sugars.

Ask students to name foods that are high in carbohydrates and to describe how they provide energy to the body.

Proteins

Proteins are important for building and repairing tissues in the body. Sources of protein include meat, beans, nuts, and dairy products.

Ask students to name foods that are high in protein and to describe how they help the body build and repair tissues.

Fats

Fats are important for insulating and protecting the body's organs. Sources of fats include oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.

Ask students to name foods that are high in fat and to describe how they help the body insulate and protect organs.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are nutrients that the body needs in smaller amounts. The two micronutrient minerals we will discuss are calcium and iron.

Ask students to think about why the body needs micronutrients even though they are needed in smaller amounts.

Calcium

Calcium is important for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified foods.

Ask students to name foods that are high in calcium and to describe how calcium helps the body build and maintain strong bones and teeth.

Iron

Iron is important for making hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Sources of iron include meat, beans, fortified cereals, and leafy green vegetables.

Ask students to name foods that are high in iron and to describe how iron helps the body make hemoglobin.

Vitamins

Vitamins are important for maintaining good health. The four micronutrient vitamins we will discuss are A, B group, C, and D.

Ask students to think about why vitamins are important for maintaining good health.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for maintaining good vision and healthy skin. Sources of vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy green vegetables.

Ask students to name foods that are high in vitamin A and to describe how vitamin A helps the body maintain good vision and healthy skin.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are important for converting food into energy and for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Sources of B vitamins include whole grains, meat, fish, and leafy green vegetables.

Ask students to name foods that are high in B vitamins and to describe how they help the body convert food into energy and maintain healthy skin and hair.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and for helping the body absorb iron. Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Ask students to name foods that are high in vitamin C and to describe how vitamin C helps the body maintain a healthy immune system and absorb iron.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Sources of vitamin D include fortified milk and cereals, fatty fish, and sunlight.

Ask students to name foods that are high in vitamin D and to describe how vitamin D helps the body maintain strong bones and teeth.

Do now....

Make a PowerPoint or knowledge organiser poster about macro and micronutrients. Include your own independent research to find useful facts but please use UK websites!

Add to the Padlet - link on Teams

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Extension activity

Choose a macronutrient and watch the video for it. Make an iMovie including facts you have found out.

The links are on the next 3 slides, but just choose 1 to do.

Slide 1 is protein, slide 2 is carbohydrate and slide 3 is fat.

www.bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Extension 2

Choose 1 vitamin and 1 mineral to research.

Write a paragraph about each one on a word document and upload it to the nutrients Padlet.

www.bbc.co.uk