The package was specifically developed for vocational education, levels 2–4, for the subject Vital Citizenship. The lessons form a coherent whole, so it is preferable to teach all the lessons. If that is not possible, it is also possible to offer one or more lessons separately.

What can you find in the downloads?

There are two documents for each lesson:

  • A PowerPoint presentation to use in class
  • A worksheet for the students (a fillable PDF)

In the teacher’s guide, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides more information about the content of the lessons, activities and materials used. They also offer a useful outline for each lesson that you can use when preparing and teaching the lesson. The lessons are interactive.

Overview of the lessons

The six lessons are divided into three themes: Healthy eating, Temptations and Sustainability

Theme 1. Healthy eating

Healthy eating may not be at the top of most young people’s list of priorities. Yet it is important for them too. In these 2 lessons, students examine their own eating behaviour, learn more about the Wheel of Five and explore various apps and tools that can help them eat more healthily. These include the online food diary Mijn Eetmeter, the ‘Kies Ik Gezond?’ app and the ‘Staat dit in de Schijf?’ tool. They also look at where they could change their own eating pattern.

Lesson hours:

  • Lesson 1a: What am I actually eating?
  • Lesson 1b: Is this included in the Wheel of Five?

Theme 2. Temptations

At school, on the street, at the station or in the cinema: there is a good chance that students encounter all kinds of food temptations throughout the day. How do they deal with these temptations? In these 2 lessons, students learn to recognise the places where they are tempted by unhealthy food, thereby increasing their awareness. They also work with an IF-THEN plan to protect themselves against unhealthy snacks.

Lesson hours:

  • Lesson 2a: Food is everywhere
  • Lesson 2b: IF-THEN plan

Theme 3. Sustainability

Food travels a long way before it ends up on our plates. If you are aware of this, you may think twice before throwing food away. That is why, in these two lessons, students explore the origins of food using a commonly consumed product: bread. They also create their own infographic about the origin of a product.

In addition, they learn about the impact of food production on our planet and the problem of food waste. They also examine their own food-wasting behaviour. Do they often throw away something that could actually still be eaten or drunk? Or are they already doing quite well?

Lesson hours:

  • Lesson 3a: Where does my food come from?
  • Lesson 3b: How can I waste less food?

The lessons can be downloaded for free here.