FOOD CHEMISTRY

Food Chemistry

In Food Chemistry, students explore basic concepts related to food and nutrition. They set up their own classroom laboratory and perform physical and chemical tests to identify the presence of starch, glucose, fats, and proteins in common foods. Some of the tests are relatively simple and produce "yes-or-no" results; others require multiple steps. Still other tests, such as the glucose test, produce results that require interpretation. Through readings, students discover how proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins, are related to good health. They also learn how to interpret food labels. In a final challenge, students apply their knowledge and skills to analyze the nutritional components of a marshmallow.

In Food Chemistry, students investigate the basic nutrients in foods they eat. They conduct a series of physical and chemical tests to discover which nutrients--starches, glucose, fats, and proteins--are in common foods. They learn about the role nutrients play in human growth and development, read about the importance of vitamins and other nutrients, and examine food labels for nutritional information. In a final activity, students apply testing techniques they learn in the unit to analyze the nutritional components of a marshmallow. Throughout the unit, students gather, organize, and interpret data. By comparing results from tests, they learn the important concept that chemical tests are not always clearly positive or negative.

NUTRITION

Learning About Proteins, Carbohydrates, Calories & Fats

USDA for Kids
Dole 5 a day
Food Label Basics
Figuring Out Food Labels
Food Guide Pyramid
Why Drinking Water is the Way to Go
What Vitamins & Minerals Do

Nutrition Sleuth Casebook Game (Like Hangman)
http://exhibits.pacsci.org/nutrition/sleuth/sleuth.html


Grab a Grape Nutrition Jeopardy Challenge
http://exhibits.pacsci.org/nutrition/grape/grape.html


Food Facts
http://www.kidfood.org/f_facts/grpslist.html


Healthy Foods to Eat
http://www.healthyfridge.org/choose.html


Healthy Foods Quiz Online
http://www.healthyfridge.org/kids.html


Seek-a-Word Foods Game
http://www.healthyfridge.org/seekaword.html


Food Guide Pyramid
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/pyramid.html