Week 1
Lesson 1
 Importance of Nutrition in Teen Development
This lesson explains why nutrition is crucial during adolescence, a time of significant physical and mental changes. It highlights how a balanced diet supports growth, energy levels, and cognitive function. It also outlines the common challenges teens face when trying to eat healthily, such as busy schedules, peer and social media influences, and the easy access to unhealthy food due to marketing and widespread availability.
Lesson 2
Understanding Nutritional Basics
This lesson outlines the essential nutrients for teens, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. It also explains daily caloric needs, noting variations between male and female teens, and the influence of activity level and growth rate. Finally, it addresses the importance of staying hydrated, with recommendations for daily water intake and an overview of the risks of dehydration.
Lesson 3
Building a Balanced Diet
This lesson introduces the Plate Model for healthy eating, outlining the recommended proportions of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. It emphasizes the benefits of a colorful and varied diet. It also provides examples of balanced meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with ideas for healthy snacks and beverages. Additionally, the section explains how to read food labels to understand nutritional information, with guidance on spotting hidden sugars and unhealthy fats.
Lesson 4
Addressing Common Dietary Challenges
This lesson provides strategies for teens to overcome peer pressure and unhealthy influences, with tips on saying no to junk food and finding supportive friends. It also covers time management and meal planning, including simple meal prep ideas for busy teens and making healthy choices when on the go. Lastly, it offers guidance on eating healthy on a budget, featuring tips for affordable meals, smart shopping, and reducing food waste.
Lesson 5
 Encouraging Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits
This lesson discusses how to build lifelong healthy eating habits through mindful eating, balanced nutrition, and support from family and school. It highlights the benefits of paying attention to food, enjoying a varied diet, and having family meals, along with the role schools play in promoting good nutrition. The aim is to guide teens toward making healthier food choices for lasting well-being.