Balanced Nutrition

Overview

Students build a basic understanding of nutrition by identifying key components of a balanced diet and evaluating simple claims about food choices. They then demonstrate their learning by creating a nutrition infographic using Canva.

Learning intentions

• Students will identify major nutrition concepts (food groups, nutrients, energy, and hydration) and explain how they support health and wellbeing.
• Students will describe what a balanced diet includes and why variety and portion size matter.
• Students will evaluate nutrition information for suitability and accuracy in everyday contexts.
• Students will create a clear nutrition poster/infographic using Canva that communicates key messages.

Success criteria

• I can explain at least 3 components of a balanced diet and link them to health and wellbeing.
• I can use evidence-based ideas (e.g. nutrients/food group variety) to justify food choices.
• I can identify and correct at least one unrealistic or misleading nutrition claim.
• I can produce a Canva nutrition infographic with accurate, clearly organised information and readable design.

Curriculum links

• PH5-IPS-01: Students evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of health information, products and support services for improved safety, health and wellbeing (nutrition information claims and suitability).
• PH5-SHP-01: Students design and evaluate a plan to enhance safety, health and participation in lifelong health behaviours (designing an evidence-informed nutrition message).
• Thinking critically to enhance health and wellbeing: analysing nutrition information and making justified improvements to health messages.

Lesson structure (60 minutes)

1. 0–5 min · Hook. Teacher shows a contrasting image set (e.g. “fast snack-only day” vs “balanced meal choices”) in the introduction slides and asks, “Which day is more likely to support energy and focus, and why?” Students quick-write 1–2 reasons.

2. 5–15 min · Direct teach: nutrition basics. Teacher uses the introduction slides to define nutrition concepts: nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats), vitamins/minerals, fibre, energy, and hydration; emphasise “balanced” and “variety”. Students annotate a mini note-catcher: “Nutrients do… / Balanced diet means… / Water helps…”

3. 15–25 min · Balanced diet components (guided). Teacher pauses on the introduction slides with 3 short scenarios (e.g. breakfast skip + sugary drink; “only protein”; “mostly fruit/veg but no grains”). Students in pairs complete a quick sorting task in the air/worksheet margin: “What’s missing/imbalanced? What would you add/remove?” Teacher circulates and prompts reasoning.

4. 25–35 min · Evaluate nutrition information. Teacher displays 2 nutrition statements in the introduction slides (one realistic, one misleading). Students use a “suitability and effectiveness” checklist: Is it accurate? Is it specific enough for everyday use? Does it ignore other important parts (variety/portion/hydration)? Students write a brief verdict: “Trust / Question / Reject” plus one justification.

5. 35–45 min · Canva setup and planning. Teacher introduces Canva as a tool for clear health messaging, showing the exact template idea on the introduction slides (e.g. poster layout: title, 3 balanced diet pillars, “smart swap” box, sources line/acknowledgement line as per school policy). Students open Canva on devices and draft a plan: choose title, 4 key points, and where each will go. Teacher checks plans quickly (teacher-student conference during circulation).

6. 45–58 min · Create: nutrition infographic/poster. Teacher releases creation time using the introduction slides instructions and success criteria. Students design their Canva infographic/ poster including:

• 3–4 balanced diet components
• one “smart swap” suggestion (e.g. replacing a drink, adding fibre, adding grains/lean protein variety)
• one accurate nutrition tip linked to health and wellbeing
• readable design choices (large text, simple icons, consistent colour, short sentences) Teacher provides support for design clarity and accuracy, and redirects those using vague claims.

7. 58–60 min · Plenary: gallery + exit ticket. Students do a 30-second “gallery walk” using a wall display/table sharing (teacher selects 3–4 volunteers or projects examples). Students complete a quick exit reflection on paper or within the nutrition concepts worksheet: “One key balanced diet message I can teach someone is…” plus “One claim I would question is…”

Resources

• the introduction slides (hook images, nutrition basics, balanced diet scenarios, misleading-vs-real claims, Canva step-by-step and design checklist)
• the nutrition concepts worksheet (note-catcher, scenario prompt space, evaluation checklist, exit reflection)
• Devices with internet access for Canva
• Student-friendly login method for Canva (teacher-approved)
• Headphones optional (for students using audio features—otherwise not required)
• Markers/pens for quick drafts (if devices are slow)
• Projector/interactive display for showing Canva examples
• Printer access or offline submission method (if required by school procedure)

Assessment

• Formative during lesson: teacher checks paired scenario reasoning and circulates during claim evaluation for suitability/accuracy.
• Product assessment: evaluate Canva infographic against success criteria (accuracy of nutrition messages, clarity of structure, justified “smart swap”).
• Exit ticket: individual check of key understanding (“balanced diet message” + one questioned claim).

Differentiation

• Support: provide sentence starters for evaluation (“This claim is not suitable because…”) and a scaffolded checklist on the nutrition concepts worksheet.
• Support: offer a simplified Canva layout option (pre-set blocks: “What balanced means / Food group pillars / Smart swap / Why it helps”).
• Extension: for students who finish early, add a brief “How to check health info” note (e.g. look for specific details, consider whether it explains variety/portion, check if it’s supported by credible guidance).
• EAL/SEN: use visuals/icons in the deck; allow key points to be typed as short bullet phrases; reduce writing load by focusing on accuracy and design clarity.
• Consider accessibility: encourage high contrast colours and large fonts in Canva; allow audio narration only if school policy supports it.