Food Day School Curriculum 2013

Lesson 1: Eat Real
— Cards —
Food Change
The foods in column 1 are whole, real foods that promote health to both our bodies and the earth (all have high
green bars and low or no red bars). Additionally, when we have whole foods that are grown or raised close to
where we live and are from farms that use organic and/or sustainable growing methods, we can further increase
the healthfulness while decreasing the carbon footprint — a measure of carbon dioxide emissions due to human
activity — from these foods.
Column 1 (whole)
Corn on the cob is a real, whole food that remains just as it was after it was
grown and harvested.
• Corn is good for our health because it contains nutrients such as fiber, potassium, and
vitamin A, as well as complex carbohydrates. Of course, slathering the corn with butter
and salt greatly reduces the nutritional quality.
• Corn on the cob is good for the environment because there is no packaging, no energy
used for processing. All we do is shuck it and cook it.
Grilled chicken comes right from a chicken, with only the skin and bones
removed.
• Grilled chicken is good for our health because it is high in protein and iron, and low in
fat. It also has some potassium and phosphorus.
• Grilled chicken is good for the environment because it is minimally processed and when
the chickens are raised on farms that are organic and/or sustainable (where chickens
have healthy foods and plenty of space to move around and are not given large doses of
hormones or medicines) that makes them even better for the environment.
Oranges are eaten just as they are picked from the tree.
• Oranges are good for our health because they are full of many vitamins, minerals, and
other health-enhancing substances, most notably vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
• Oranges are good for the environment because they are not processed. All we have to do
is peel and eat.
Fat free milk comes to us straight from dairy farms with minimal processing.
• Fat free milk is good for our health because it is chock full of calcium, protein, and other
nutrients, including vitamins A and D that are added. The fat is also skimmed off.
• Fat free milk is good for the environment because it is minimally processed: it is only
homogenized to mix in the fat and pasteurized to kill microorganisms. We can also help
the environment by choosing milk that is grown on organic and/or sustainable farms,
where the cows graze on grass, live outside, and are not given hormones or excessive
medicine.
Brown rice is a whole grain with only the outer husk removed.
• Brown rice is good for our health because it is high in fiber, protein, B vitamins, and
phytonutrients that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and type 2
diabetes.
• Brown rice is good for the environment because it is minimally processed. When
organically grown, it is even better for the environment.
18 | Food Day Lessons