Before doing this activity students should have already learned about nutrition, the role of different nutrients in our body, and special dietary concerns (i.e. sugar for diabetics, iron for people who are anemic, protein for athletes, calcium for women, etc.)

To start class students will need a log of what they ate and drank the day before and its nutritional content (calories, fat, vitamins/minerals, protein, etc.) The students should choose four (4) nutrients, accumulate the total consumption for each nutrient, and construct a double bar graph. The graph will give the students a side- by- side visual of how much of each nutrient is recommended on a daily basis and how much they actually consume.
I set the following guidelines for each student to follow:
1) The graph must have a title
2) Students must design a key
3) The X and Y axis' must be labeled with a name (i.e. the X axis can simply be labeled “nutrients”)
4) Identify each nutrient and how it is measured [i.e. Fat (g), protein (g), sodium (mg)]

To assess student learning, students must write a 1 page response outlining their results. These questions may be used to help guide them: did anything shock you? Why did you choose the four nutrients you chose? Would you classify your eating habits as “healthy?” Why or why not? Where do you see room for improvement in your diet?