Together with an adult, the children must find out how much protein, carbohydrate and fat – and hence energy – a typical packed lunch contains. The results can be discussed as a class.

Teaching the activity
This activity includes materials describing how the body uses the food that we eat, the importance of nutrition, and some simple dietary recommendations.

The activity also uses an exercise sheet which guides children through the calculations relating to their packed lunch. The activity requires some mathematical calculations, so it is necessary for an adult to guide the children in what needs to be calculated and how.

See the enclosed step-by-step guide for a detailed description of how this activity is to be performed.

The activity is intended primarily for older children.
The activity can be carried out in two hours, but if it is to include choosing foods, discussion and follow-up, a total of four hours should be allocated.

Other activity suggestions
The activity can be combined with Being Coach in connection with calculating energy intake and consumption.

Tools

• Information on food
• Exercise sheet: ‘What does your food contain?’
• Table: ‘Facts on selected foods’
• Activity form for website
• Kitchen scale
• Calculator
• Digital camera

Educational goals
Test Your Packed Lunch takes its starting point in the packed lunch that children bring to school. The aim is to make them aware of the choices they make each day in terms of the content and quality of the lunch they eat.

References

• www.edibleschoolyard.org