Tips for Teaching Nutrition

Tip 1:  Make cross-curricular connections to healthy eating

Make cross-curricular connections to healthy eating in the various subject areas. Studies show that this approach to teaching nutrition can help increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and decrease consumption of sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages in children (Dudley et al, 2015).

In Math, are students counting and graphing fruits and vegetables instead of candy, cookies and pie?  In Art, could they do mosaic artwork of cherries and pears to meet curriculum expectations? In Language, are students being asked to read and write about healthy foods and habits?

Tip 2:  Teach healthy eating throughout the school year

Spread healthy eating education throughout the school year by connecting it to different seasons, themes, holidays or school events.

Tip 3: Use experiential learning strategies

Use experiential learning strategies by letting students work with food in the classroom, visit a grocery store, starting a cooking club or a school garden.

Tip 4: Use teachable moments

Use teachable moments any time the conversation revolves around food and nutrition.

Tip 5: Role model healthy eating

Demonstrate on a regular basis to your students that you eat healthy and show your enthusiasm toward eating foods from the four food groups, especially vegetables and fruit.

Reference

Dudley et al. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2015).

DOI 10.1186/s12966-015-0182-8