CurriculumGrades 9-12Health & Physical Education

Nutrition and food choices for independent living

Aligned to NHES 1 — SHAPE America National Standards.

What this lesson teaches

Soon you will feed yourself independently, so practical nutrition skills matter: planning balanced meals on a budget, reading nutrition labels critically, and knowing your dietary needs. It also means evaluating diet trends and supplements with healthy skepticism, since many overpromise and underdeliver. These skills support your health, energy, and wallet in college and adulthood.

Worked example

When grocery shopping on a budget, you might compare unit prices, choose affordable proteins like beans and eggs, and read labels to avoid drinks loaded with added sugar, building a few reliable healthy meals.

Practice questions

  1. Name one skill for eating well on a budget.
  2. What should you check on a nutrition label?
  3. Why be skeptical of fad diets and supplements?

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

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En español

Nutrición y elecciones alimentarias para la vida independiente

Pronto te alimentarás de forma independiente, así que las habilidades prácticas de nutrición son importantes: planear comidas equilibradas con un presupuesto limitado, leer las etiquetas nutrimentales de manera crítica y conocer tus necesidades alimentarias. También implica evaluar las tendencias dietéticas y los suplementos con sano escepticismo, ya que muchos prometen demasiado y entregan poco. Estas habilidades favorecen tu salud, tu energía y tu bolsillo en la universidad y en la vida adulta.

Ejemplo: Al hacer el súper con poco dinero, puedes comparar precios por unidad, elegir proteínas accesibles como frijoles y huevos, y leer las etiquetas para evitar bebidas con mucha azúcar añadida, así vas construyendo un repertorio de comidas saludables y confiables.

More Health lessons

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