Healthy Eating and Exercise

Lesson Overview

Duration: 60 minutes Class size: 30 students Year group: Year 8 (12–13 years old) Subject: PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) Focus: Nutrition, benefits of exercise, impact on physical and mental wellbeing

National Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum for England for PSHE (health and wellbeing strand) for Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9). It develops pupils’ knowledge about health and wellbeing, emphasising practical strategies to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The content supports the following objectives:

Pupils should know the characteristics of a healthy lifestyle and how to maintain physical, mental, and emotional health (Health and wellbeing strand)
Understanding the link between diet, exercise, and wellbeing
Developing skills to make informed choices about health (including through reflection on current behaviours)
Promoting mental wellbeing and resilience through physical activity

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Describe the basic principles of nutrition and explain the function of key nutrients in the diet.
Identify the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise.
Understand how nutrition and exercise contribute to overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Track their personal diet and physical activity levels to reflect on current habits.
Plan an achievable, personalised weekly exercise routine that supports wellbeing.

Resources Needed

Whiteboard and markers
Printed food diary templates (1 per student)
Pens/pencils for students
Paper or exercise planning templates
Short video or infographic on balanced diet and benefits of exercise (optional)
Stopwatch or timer for activity segments

Lesson Breakdown

Starter (10 minutes) – “Myth or Fact?” Interactive Quiz

Begin with a quick interactive quiz to engage students and challenge common misconceptions about nutrition and exercise (e.g., “Eating fat makes you fat – Myth or Fact?”, “Exercise only benefits your body, not your mind – Myth or Fact?”).
Use show of hands or mini whiteboards to record answers.
Briefly discuss each with evidence-based explanations to activate prior knowledge and frame the lesson.

Curriculum link: Develop knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of a healthy lifestyle.

Main Activity 1 (15 minutes) – Nutrients and Their Roles Discussion

Present a short teacher-led segment explaining the five main nutrient groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Discuss the role each plays in maintaining physical health (e.g., energy, muscle repair, immune function).
Emphasise balanced diet principles consistent with UK eatwell guide recommendations.
Engage students with questions: “What foods do you eat that give you energy?”, “Why do you think vitamins are important?”
Challenge students to relate this knowledge to their own eating habits.

Curriculum link: Understanding characteristics of a healthy diet and factors that influence food choices.

Main Activity 2 (15 minutes) – Food Diary Tracking

Hand out food diary templates. Ask students to reflect on what they ate the previous day or a typical weekday.
Instruct students to categorise their food intake under nutrients and check if their meals resemble a balanced diet.
Pair students and allow them to discuss findings quietly with a partner to compare diets and discuss the role of nutrition.

Curriculum link: Applying knowledge to analyse own health choices.

Main Activity 3 (10 minutes) – Exercise and Wellbeing Discussion

Facilitate a class discussion focusing on the benefits of exercise not only for physical health (cardiovascular health, strength, stamina) but also for mental wellbeing (reducing stress, improving mood, better sleep).
Incorporate short examples such as how exercise releases endorphins or helps with concentration at school.
Use questioning to explore students’ current exercise habits and barriers they may face.

Curriculum link: Understanding the benefits of physical activity on health and wellbeing.

Plenary (10 minutes) – Personal Exercise Planning

Give students a blank weekly planner template.
Ask them to design a realistic weekly exercise plan including activities they enjoy or want to try, aiming for at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily as per NHS guidelines.
Encourage variety and balance between cardio, strength, flexibility, and rest.
Invite a few volunteers to share their plans.
Conclude by summarising how combining good nutrition and regular exercise promotes holistic wellbeing.

Curriculum link: Developing skills to make informed lifestyle choices.

Assessment

Formative assessment through participation in quiz and class discussions.
Review of food diary completion for understanding of balanced diet concepts.
Evaluation of exercise planner to assess practical application of knowledge and personal reflection.

Differentiation

Provide simplified food diary examples or additional prompts for students who require support.
Extend challenge by asking more able students to research or suggest alternative healthy snacks or exercise types.
Pair students strategically for peer support during discussions.

Reflection and Follow-up

Suggest students keep their food and exercise diary for a full week as homework to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Plan a follow-up lesson to discuss results and set broader personal health goals.
Encourage integration of digital tools or apps for tracking if technology access is available.

By linking nutrition and exercise explicitly to physical and mental wellbeing and encouraging self-reflection and planning, this lesson meets the Year 8 PSHE objectives thoughtfully, promotes lifelong healthy habits, and engages students with practical, relevant activities.

Teaching Instructions