Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Explain the importance of nutrition for health.
• Identify nutrients in local Ghanaian foods.
• Discuss the functions of various nutrients.
• Analyze the effects of nutrients on the body.

Lesson summary

Good morning, class. Today, we are discussing something that affects every single one of us, every single day: Nutrition. Think about the energy you need to walk to school, to concentrate in class, and to play football or ampe after school. Where does that energy come from? It comes from the food we eat. The *Waakye* you had for breakfast, the *Banku* and tilapia for lunch, and the *Ampesi* for supper all play a role. Understanding nutrition is like having a roadmap for a long, healthy, and strong life. It helps us choose the right foods to grow well, prevent sicknesses like malaria and diabetes, and achieve our full potential both in academics and in sports.

Lesson notes

(Teacher-led explanation using charts and questioning) A. Fundamental Definitions Nutrition: This is the scientific study of food and how the body uses it for growth, energy, repair, and maintaining health. It’s not just about eating; it’s about eating the *right things*. Nutrients: These are the chemical substances found in food that our bodies need to function properly. Think of them as the building blocks and fuel for your body. Diet: This simply refers to the kinds of food that a person habitually eats. Your diet can be healthy or unhealthy. Balanced Diet: This is a diet that contains all the six classes of nutrients in the right proportions to meet the body's needs. It's not about eating one "superfood," but about eating a variety of foods. B. The Six Classes of Nutrients

Let’s break down the nutrients into their six main families. Carbohydrates (The 'Energy Givers') Function: They are the body’s main and preferred source of energy. Every activity, from thinking to running, is powered by carbohydrates. Ghanaian Sources: Starchy Foods: *Banku, Kenkey, Fufu, Gari (Eba), Ampesi (Yam, Plantain, Cassava, Cocoyam), Rice (for Waakye, Jollof, Omo Tuo), Bread.* Sugary Foods (for quick energy): *Fruits (Mango, Banana, Pineapple), Sugarcane, Honey.* Fibre (a type of carbohydrate that aids digestion): *Oats, whole wheat, vegetables, beans.* Proteins (The 'Body Builders') Function: Essential for building, maintaining, and repairing body tissues like muscles, skin, and hair. They also help make enzymes and hormones that control body processes and help fight infections. Ghanaian Sources: Animal Sources: *Fish (Tilapia, 'Kpanla', 'Amane'), Chicken, Beef, Goat meat, Eggs, Milk, Wɔle (Wele/Cowhide).* Plant Sources: *Beans (Red-Red), Soya beans, Groundnuts (Nkate), Bambara beans (Aboboi), Agushi (Melon seeds).* Fats and Oils (The 'Energy Savers' and 'Protectors') Function: Provide a concentrated source of energy (more than twice the energy of carbohydrates). They help insulate the body, protect vital organs, and are necessary for absorbing certain vitamins (A, D, E, K). Ghanaian Sources: *Palm oil (for stews), Groundnut oil, Coconut oil, Shea butter, Avocado pear ('paya'), Agushi, Groundnuts, Fatty fish.* Note: It's important to have fats, but we must distinguish between healthier unsaturated fats (e.g., avocado, groundnut oil) and less healthy saturated fats (e.g., too much animal fat). Vitamins (The 'Protective Helpers') Function: These are micronutrients needed in small amounts to help regulate body functions and protect us from diseases. They are like the spark plugs in a car engine – small but vital. Ghanaian Sources: Vitamin A (for vision & skin): *Palm oil, Kontomire, Carrots, Mango, Pawpaw, Eggs.* Vitamin B-Complex (for energy release): *Whole grains (brown rice), Beans, Eggs, Meat.* Vitamin C (for immunity & skin repair): *Oranges, Pineapple, Pawpaw, Tomatoes, Bell peppers (Kpakpo shito), Guava.* Vitamin D (for strong bones): *Sunlight on skin, eggs, fatty fish like salmon ('amane')*. Minerals (The 'Regulators' and 'Builders') Function: Also needed in small amounts for various body functions, including building strong bones and teeth, and controlling body fluids. Ghanaian Sources: Calcium (for bones & teeth): *Milk, yoghurt, small fish eaten with bones ('Keta School Boys', 'One-man-thousand'), Okra.* Iron (for blood, prevents tiredness/anaemia): *Kontomire and other dark green leafy vegetables ('Alefu', 'Gboma'), Meat, Beans, Garden eggs.* Iodine (for brain function): *Iodized salt, seafood.* Water (The 'Essence of Life') Function: Absolutely essential for life! It transports nutrients, helps regulate body temperature, removes waste products, and lubricates joints. About 60% of our body is water. Ghanaian Sources: *Clean drinking water, Soups (Light soup, Groundnut soup), Fruits with high water content (Watermelon, Pineapple, Orange).*

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

(Interactive session: Teacher poses questions and guides students to the answers)

Evaluation guide

• Discuss the role of nutrition in healthy living
• Tal
• k for learning: Initiate a whole class discussion on the need to take in the right
• nutrients.