In today’s fast-paced world, understanding nutrition and health-related issues is more important than ever. This collection of resources focuses on smoking prevention, healthy eating habits, and the importance of exercise, specifically tailored for educators and health instructors. Each entry highlights valuable insights and engaging activities designed to inform and empower students from upper elementary through high school. Whether you’re looking to teach kids about the consequences of smoking, introduce them to nutritious food choices, or promote physical activity, these materials provide the foundation for healthier lifestyles.
F.A.C.T.S. for 5: Facts & Activities About Chewing Tobacco & Smoking
Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health ©1995 CATCH
This four-week curriculum, designed for fifth-grade students, focuses on smoking prevention. Each session runs for approximately 50 minutes and covers topics such as the consequences of smoking, how to resist peer pressure, the economics of smoking, and the dangers of passive smoking.
Audience: Upper Elementary Health Instructors
Format: 4-Session Curriculum
Fast & Easy Teen Meals: Pasta
Pineapple Appeal ©1994
Pasta is a favorite dish that’s both healthy and fun to prepare. This video teaches teens how to create delicious pasta dishes using low-fat ingredients, from recipe selection to cooking and serving. The program includes teaching materials to assist in the learning process.
Audience: Middle School, High School
Format: 18-Minute Video, Teaching Materials
The Fast Food Caper: What’s In It For You
Cambridge Research Group, Ltd. ©1990
This informative video helps viewers explore the nutritional content of popular fast foods. Through the Horton family’s investigative journey, students learn which fast food items, like fries, pizza, and tacos, are healthier options, and how to choose wisely at salad bars. The video also provides guidelines for improving fast food choices to be lower in calories and more nutritious.
Audience: High School, Middle School, General Adult
Format: 30-Minute Video
Fast Food Facts: The Original Guide for Fitting Fast Food into a Healthy Lifestyle
IDC Publishing ©1998 Marion J. Franz
No matter how often you eat fast food, this book provides essential information to help you make healthier choices at the top 40 fast-food chains. It’s designed to be a quick reference guide for making nutritious decisions on the go.
Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Teachers, Student Health Educators
Format: 243-Page Book
The Fast-Food Guide
Workman Publishing Company, Inc. ©1991 Michael F. Jacobson
This comprehensive guide offers detailed nutrition information about the major fast-food chains. It’s an invaluable resource for individuals concerned with maintaining a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families.
Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Teachers, Student Health Educators
Format: 333-Page Book
Father Hunger: Fathers, Daughters, and Food
Gurze Books ©1991 Margo Maine
This book explores “Father Hunger,” a term describing the emotional void felt by women whose fathers are or were emotionally distant. This void can lead to body image issues, yo-yo dieting, and disordered eating patterns. The phenomenon is common in Western culture.
Audience: Parents, Teachers, General Adults
Format: 272-Page Book
Fats of Life
The Learning Seed ©1997
This interactive CD-ROM blends software, video, and educational activities. It offers an engaging experience with videos, games, and presentations on fat, cholesterol, calories, and healthy cooking techniques. Users can track their eating habits, take nutrition tests, play games like the “fatbuster challenge,” and explore low-fat foods. Teachers can also track student progress.
Audience: High School, Health Clinics, General Adults
Format: CD-ROM
Fitness and Conditioning: Benefits for a Lifetime
Human Relations Media ©1991
This video highlights the many benefits of regular exercise, including reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering hypertension, preventing obesity, and improving life expectancy and mental well-being. It features interviews with renowned athletes and outlines the principles of conditioning, all without the use of drugs.
Audience: High School, College, General Adults, Physical Education Instructors, Health Clinics
Format: 22-Minute Video, Teaching Resource Package
Five A Day: The Produce Revolution
The Learning Seed ©1995
Set in the year 2090, this imaginative video tells the story of an elderly man who longs for the fresh produce of the 20th century. Taking his granddaughter on a virtual reality tour of a supermarket from his youth, they explore the health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables. The accompanying 20-page guide offers tips for expanding produce use, shopping tips, and discussion questions.
Audience: Middle School Students, High School Students
Format: 25-Minute Video, 20-Page Study Guide
Five A Day Bingo: A Fun Nutrition Game For All Ages
Food Services of America, Inc. ©1995 Kathy Andersen
“Five A Day Bingo” turns learning about fruits and vegetables into a fun, engaging experience. It encourages players to increase their awareness of healthy eating by trying new produce items and rewards them for making healthy choices.
Audience: Child Care Providers, Sponsors, Elementary, High School, Adult Day Care, Health Clinics
Format: Game, 25-Page Book
A 5-Day Lesson Plan on Eating Disorders: Grades 7-12
National Eating Disorders Organization ©1991 Michael Levine
This comprehensive lesson plan covers everything educators need to teach about eating disorders. It includes five sessions, each with lecture materials, assignments, role-playing activities, and references. Topics include cultural influences, body image issues, signs of eating disorders, prevention strategies, and how to help friends who may be struggling.
Audience: High School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, Health Educators, Nutritionists
Format: 131-Page Book
Food and Feasts Between The Two World Wars
Macmillan Publishing Company, New Discovery Books ©1994 Philip Steele
This book offers a fascinating look at the foods consumed in Europe and North America during the 1920s and 1930s. It focuses on how technological advances and historical events shaped people’s diets during this time.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
Format: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in Ancient Egypt
Zoe Books Limited ©1994 Richard Balkwill
A deep dive into the dietary habits of the Ancient Egyptians, this book explores what they ate, how they prepared their food, and the crucial role of the Nile in their lives.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
Format: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in Ancient Greece
New Discovery Books ©1995 Imogen Dawson
Explore the social history of ancient Greece through its food, from everyday meals to special feasts. This book explains the types of food ancient Greeks ate and how they were prepared, offering insights into the events that sparked celebrations and the feasts that followed.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, General Adult
Format: 32-page book
Food and Feasts in Ancient Rome
New Discovery Books ©1994 Philip Steele
Delve into the culinary history of ancient Rome, learning about the foods they favored and the cultural events that brought people together for feasts. The book explains Roman dining customs and provides ideas on how to recreate their festive meals today.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, General Adult
Format: 32-page book
Food and Feasts in the Middle Ages
New Discovery Books ©1995 Imogen Dawson
Discover the culinary traditions of the Medieval period, exploring the reasons behind certain food choices and the festive events that called for grand feasts. The book provides a detailed look at the era’s food and celebrations.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, General Adult
Format: 32-page book
Food and Feasts in Tudor Times
New Discovery Books ©1995 Richard Balkwill
This book presents the food customs of Tudor England, highlighting the differences in diets among the nobility, royalty, and common folk. It also explores how new foods from increased travel influenced the period’s cuisine.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, General Adult
Format: 32-page book
Food and Feasts with the Aztecs
New Discovery Books ©1995 Imogen Dawson
Learn about the food culture of the Aztecs just before the Spanish conquest. This book discusses the ingredients, cooking methods, and celebrations that shaped their society, shedding light on how food played a role in special events and feasts.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, General Adult
Format: 32-page book
Food and Feasts with the Vikings
New Discovery Books ©1995 Hazel Mary Martell
Discover the diet and feasting traditions of the Vikings. This book outlines what foods were commonly eaten and how they were prepared, as well as the special celebrations that brought the Viking people together.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, General Adult
Format: 32-page book
Food and Fat
The Learning Seed ©1993
This video simplifies the science of fats, explaining the difference between saturated, unsaturated, mono, and polyunsaturated fats. Viewers will learn how to calculate their daily fat intake and make healthier food choices.
Audience: High School, General Adult, Adult Day Care
Format: 28-minute video, 30-page teaching guide
Foodborne Illnesses and Their Prevention
Gardner Educational, Inc. ©1996
This program emphasizes the importance of food safety by exploring common foodborne illnesses, their symptoms, and treatment options. It offers practical advice on preventing contamination in both home and institutional kitchens.
Audience: High School, Food Service Personnel, Nutritionists, Teachers, Health Clinics
Format: 30-minute video
The Food Guide Pyramid: Contemporary Nutrition
Cambridge Educational ©1993
This program explains the Food Guide Pyramid, helping viewers understand the dietary guidelines and how they can apply them to their daily lives. It emphasizes balanced nutrition and the benefits of following the pyramid’s structure.
Audience: High School, Adults
Format: 25-minute video, teacher’s guide with student activities
Food Labels: Staying Healthy Just Got Easier
Altschul Group Corporation ©1994
Learn how to decode food labels and understand terms like “free” and “low-fat.” This video explains how these labels relate to health and nutrition, helping viewers make informed food choices.
Audience: High School Students, General Adult, Health Clinics
Format: 10-minute video
Food Models for General Audience: Comparison Cards
National Dairy Council ©1994
This set includes 185 life-size photographs of commonly eaten foods, complete with nutrient information on the back. The leader guide provides activities to help students learn about portion sizes and nutrition.
Audience: Elementary Students, High School Students, General Adult
Format: 185 food models, leader guide
Food Safety
Gardner Educational Inc. ©1996
This essential program teaches the fundamentals of safe food handling. Viewers learn about avoiding cross-contamination, proper food storage, and safe preparation techniques to ensure meals are healthy and safe to consume.
Audience: High School, Food Service Personnel, Nutritionists, Teachers, Health Clinics
Format: 30-minute video
Food Safety: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Meridian Education Corp. ©1996
This video highlights the importance of proper food storage and handling, providing examples of safe and unsafe practices. It emphasizes why following these guidelines is critical for health and safety.
Audience: High School Students, Middle School Students
Format: 10-minute video, discussion questions
Foods From Other Lands
Meridian Education Corporation ©1991
This video takes viewers on a journey to experience both familiar and unfamiliar dishes from different cultures. Through historical anecdotes and visits with international families, it offers a unique glimpse into global cuisines.
Audience: Middle School Students, High School Students
Format: 14-minute video, discussion questions
Foodworks: Over 100 Science Activities and Fascinating Facts That Explore the Magic of Food
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company ©1987 Ontario Science Center
This interactive book offers over 100 activities, games, and facts about food, from digestion to cultural customs. You’ll learn about everything from making ice cream without a machine to food’s role in space exploration.
Audience: Upper Elementary Students, Middle School Students
Format: 90-page book
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Photo Cards
©1997 California Department of Education
A set of 142 photo cards featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, labeled in both English and California-Mexican-Spanish. Each card includes nutrient analysis, preparation tips, and production regions, making it a great educational tool.
Audience: Middle School Students, High School Students, Upper Elementary Students
Format: 142 photo cards
Fundamental Human Nutrition
Creative Educational Video, Inc. ©1996
This program explores the importance of nutrients in maintaining health and energy. It explains the role of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, emphasizing the effects of malnutrition and nutrient excess.
Audience: High School, Health Clinics, Parents, General Adult
Format: 36-minute video
The Girl Within
Ballantine Books ©1989 by Emily Hancock
This groundbreaking work explores a pivotal study in contemporary feminist theory and the psychology behind eating disorders. The author identifies a significant stage in a young girl’s life, just before adolescence, where a strong sense of self is formed—only to be diminished by societal expectations during female socialization.
Audience: High school students, middle school students, general adult
Format: 292-page book
Give Yourself Five Nutrition Video
Pineapple Appeal ©1994
This engaging live-action video encourages students to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. With vibrant music, graphics, and peer-to-peer teaching, it promotes healthy eating habits in a fun and relatable way. NFL player Darrell Thompson also appears, inspiring kids to make nutritious choices.
Audience: Middle school, high school, health clinics
Format: 15-minute video, teaching resource package
A Good Soup Attracts Chairs: A First African Cookbook for American Kids
Pelican Publishing Company, Inc. ©1993 by Fran Osseo-Asare
This colorful cookbook introduces children to African cuisine while promoting cultural understanding. Featuring easy-to-follow recipes like egg curry, banku, and fufu, it includes cooking tips, cultural insights, and guidance on throwing an African-themed party. The book also offers a glossary of West African ingredients, substitutions, and where to find them.
Audience: Middle school, elementary students, general adult
Format: 159-page book
The Great Food Almanac: A Feast of Facts From A to Z
Collins Publishers ©1994 by Irene Chalmers
This rich compendium offers over 260 entries on topics ranging from airline food to Queen Victoria’s wedding cake. Chalmers spices the facts with recipes, quotes, and food trivia while addressing concerns such as cattle ranching hormones and synthetic pigments in farmed salmon. A delightful and informative read for food enthusiasts and trivia lovers alike.
Audience: High school students, general adult, teachers
Format: 368-page book
Herbs & Spices
Meridian Education Corporation ©1991
This informative video identifies various herbs and spices, offering creative suggestions for their use. It also features examples from a traditional herb garden, showcasing how these plants can enhance culinary experiences.
Audience: Middle school students, high school students
Format: 17-minute video, discussion questions
High Five: A Nutrition Promotion Program for High School Youth
State of Florida Department of State ©1996
Designed for 9th and 10th-grade students, this program includes ten educational plans that address nutrition topics relevant to teens. It covers subjects such as eating disorders, diet-related heart disease, cancer prevention, food labeling, and the Food Guide Pyramid. The program can be seamlessly integrated into home economics, physical education, skills management, or life science classes.
Audience: High school students, physical education instructors, health educators
Format: 71-page teacher’s guide, video
How to Read and Use Food Labels
Learning Seed ©1994
Following the implementation of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act in May 1994, this engaging program teaches students how to interpret the new food labels. It clarifies the differences between the old and new labeling systems, explains various categories, and provides tips for evaluating whether a diet aligns with federal Daily Reference Values (DRV). The program also demonstrates how to compare the nutritional content of different foods and deciphers vague packaging terms like “low-fat” and “high fiber.”
Audience: Middle school students, high school students
Format: 15-minute video, 12-page guide
Hunger Pains
Ballantine Books ©1995 by Mary Pipher
This accessible book serves as a comprehensive introduction to eating disorders aimed at young women, particularly those in high school and beyond. It features compelling case studies and addresses key issues such as anorexia, bulimia, fad diets, cultural pressures, and obesity. Additionally, it provides valuable insights for parents seeking to support their children through these challenges.
Audience: High school students, general adult
Format: 126-page book
In Control: A Guide for Teens with Diabetes
Chronimed Publishing ©1995 by Jean Betschart
This comprehensive guide is designed specifically for teenagers living with diabetes. It offers clear, practical information to navigate the challenges of adolescence while managing their condition. Up-to-date and easy to read, this unique resource addresses the issues and questions that teens with diabetes often encounter.
Audience: Diabetic teenagers
Format: 126-page book
Interactive Guide to What’s Inside: Nutrition Food Labels
Cambridge Educational ©1997
This engaging multimedia CD-ROM provides a vital lesson on the history and development of food labels. Users explore contemporary food labels and learn how to use this information to make healthier dietary choices. Featuring clips from the video “Nutrition Food Labels,” the program connects the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid to the important facts on labels. In an interactive format, users can watch informative video segments and respond to related questions. Correct answers allow users to advance, while incorrect answers prompt a quick review of the relevant video segment.
Audience: High school students, adults, middle school students, health clinics
Format: 15-page instruction booklet, CD-ROM
Kitchen Math
J. Weston Walch ©1997 by Susan Brendel
This resource offers engaging practice in basic math operations and their real-world applications through a variety of worksheets. The exercises are organized into six key sections: Planning Ahead, Shopping for Food, Stretching Food Dollars, Using Measurements, Preparation Time, and Kitchen Supplies. This revised and expanded edition introduces new activities covering topics such as microwave cooking times, bulk purchasing at wholesale clubs, combining dry ingredients in recipes, and interpreting nutrition information on product labels. Additionally, it includes enhanced assessment tools, teaching notes, review questions, answer keys, and a vocabulary list.
Audience: Middle school and high school students
Format: 59-page blackline masters