Question Sheet: Building a Food Pyramid

By Science News Explores

SCIENCE

Before reading:

  1. Have you ever seen the Food Guide Pyramid? If so, where?

  2. What would you describe as a healthy, balanced meal?

During reading:

  1. When was the Food Guide Pyramid created? Why?

  2. What changes do some people want in the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta section of the pyramid?

  3. What’s the difference between the types of fats in nuts and fish and those often found in donuts or cookies.

  4. What have nutritionists found when it comes to kids and vegetables?

  5. What are some snacks that this article recommends?

  6. Name three foods that are not mentioned in the pyramid but that some people think should be included.

After reading:

  1. Do you think that you eat a healthy diet? Why or why not?

  2. What sorts of foods that are considered healthy do you enjoy eating?

  3. Why do you think there are so many overweight kids?

  4. Why do you think the U.S. government provides advice on what people should eat?

  5. Why do you think there seems to be a connection between watching TV and eating unhealthily? Based on your own observations, does this finding make sense? Why or why not?

  6. Why do you think people eat so many unhealthy foods? Do you think sugar and fried foods are addictive?

LANGUAGE ARTS

  1. Write a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture explaining what changes you would like to see in the Food Guide Pyramid.

  2. Draw a food diagram of what you eat, then suggest how you could improve your own eating habits.

  3. Create an advertisement that you think might help persuade kids to eat healthier meals and snacks.

MATHEMATICS

A calorie is a unit used to measure the amount of energy released by food as it is digested in your body. Suppose your lunch includes a container of yogurt, an apple, and a soda. If the yogurt supplies 150 calories, the apple 50 calories, and the soda 250 calories, what percentage of all the calories that you are taking in comes from the yogurt and apple?