Food has a remarkable ability to unite people and spark meaningful discussions, which can be equally impactful in educational settings. Our daily food choices present learning opportunities that extend beyond basic nutrition education. Topics such as food waste, sustainability, new technologies, and future planning offer diverse avenues for exploring the origins of our food and can enrich various academic subjects.
We’re pleased to introduce the Educated Choices Program, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free, food-focused nutrition education to schools. Available in multiple languages, the program includes videos, lesson plans, and student activities on over a dozen topics. Although traditional curricula often overlook food systems, nutrition, and sustainability, these lessons facilitate the integration of real-world issues into classroom learning. Furthermore, research by the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh indicates that students were 2.5 times more likely to adopt healthier dietary habits after participating in the program.
While the program caters to learners of all ages, its latest initiative, the Bite-Sized Learning Series, is tailored for younger students, offering them engaging ways to explore food and health. Interested in free video lessons? Here are 11 standout lessons noted for their relevance, ease of implementation, and engagement value.
This nutrition education video, endorsed by Doctors for Nutrition, delves into how our daily food choices can affect our health. It examines how the right kinds of fiber, carbohydrates, protein, calcium, and other nutrients can help prevent and reverse diseases, including cancer.
How it meets standards
The lesson meets 83 academic objectives, making it a versatile tool for teaching health and wellness, nutrition, and physiology.
Why we love it
This video effectively breaks down everyday food concepts in a friendly and visual manner, helping students understand the link between their food choices and overall health. Additionally, it is fully available in Spanish.
Discover the power of colorful nutrition with Micronutrient Rainbow
This lesson takes the phrase “eat the rainbow” beyond a mere saying, highlighting how colorful whole foods are rich in essential micronutrients that bolster energy, immunity, mental clarity, and overall health. It simplifies the science of nutrition, making it easy for students to grasp how simple dietary choices can enhance lifelong well-being.
How it meets standards
The lesson aligns with various health, nutrition, and life science objectives, enhancing students’ comprehension of vital vitamins and minerals and their role in health and wellness.
Why we love it
The colorful “eat the rainbow” approach offers students an easy way to link food choices with health outcomes while introducing important concepts like antioxidants, iron, and calcium.
Learn how food choices support heart health with Heart Smart
Heart disease is the top cause of death globally, yet many risk factors are tied to everyday habits that are easily understandable and examinable by students. Developed in collaboration with Doctors for Nutrition, this lesson introduces students to the fundamentals of cardiovascular health, including various types of heart disease, common risk factors, and how nutrition plays a preventive role. Students also learn about practical dietary choices that support lifelong heart health.
How it meets standards
The lesson supports objectives in health education, life science, nutrition, and wellness. Students explore the connection between diet and cardiovascular disease, assess different dietary patterns, and engage in activities such as meal planning and evaluating nutrition choices.
Why we love it
While many students understand the importance of healthy eating, they often lack knowledge of why certain foods are beneficial. This lesson demystifies the science behind heart health, making it accessible and actionable, helping students link everyday decisions to long-term wellness.
Understand the science behind blood sugar with Unlocking Diabetes
Diabetes affects millions globally, making it a vital subject for students learning about health and nutrition. This lesson, crafted with Doctors for Nutrition, delves into how diabetes forms, the distinctions between major types of the disease, and the influence of dietary choices on prevention and management. Students gain a practical insight into blood sugar, insulin, and nutrition while discovering strategies that promote overall wellness.
How it meets standards
The lesson supports objectives in health education, nutrition, and life sciences by helping students explore how the body processes glucose and how dietary decisions affect long-term health.
Why we love it
This lesson adeptly connects scientific concepts to everyday choices. It simplifies complex topics such as insulin and blood sugar, presenting them in a clear, student-friendly manner.
Fuel healthy habits and athletic performance with Plant-Forward and Powerful
Students frequently inquire about the link between nutrition and athletic success, and this lesson vividly illustrates that connection. Featuring insights from successful athletes, including an Olympic medalist and a Ninja Warrior competitor, the video demonstrates how plant-based nutrition can enhance endurance, strength, recovery, and overall performance. Students also learn about the nutrients that help active bodies excel.
How it meets standards
The lesson supports health, nutrition, life science, and physical education objectives. Students investigate the role of macronutrients and micronutrients in exercise and recovery, understand how the body utilizes food as fuel, and assess the impact of nutritional choices on physical performance.
Why we love it
Given the myths surrounding nutrition and fitness, this lesson serves as an excellent conversation starter. We particularly appreciate how it connects classroom learning to real-world examples from elite athletes, allowing students to see how healthy habits can influence their performance goals.
Explore food, culture, and connection with Growing Community Roots
Community gardens have impacts that extend beyond growing fruits and vegetables. They help strengthen neighborhoods, preserve cultural traditions, and improve access to nutritious food. In this inspiring lesson, students explore the history and significance of community gardening, learning about concepts like food sovereignty, food security, and local food systems. Real-world stories from community leaders and advocates bring these ideas to life, demonstrating how collective action can lead to positive change.
How it meets standards
The lesson supports objectives in environmental science, social studies, health education, and community engagement.
Why we love it
This lesson helps students understand the connections between food, culture, community, and well-being while introducing important concepts like food sovereignty in an age-appropriate manner.
Designed for younger learners, this video discusses how plant-based foods contribute to balanced meals. Covering everything from fruits and vegetables to whole grains and legumes, students learn about each food group’s role in nurturing a healthy body. It is also part of the Bite-Sized Learning Series and includes captions in seven languages.
How it meets standards
The lesson addresses key nutrition education objectives, introducing foundational concepts while providing resources to support extended learning.
Why we love it
We appreciate how accessible this video is for elementary students. It makes learning about nutrition fun without being overwhelming, and the printable resources are a bonus for teachers.
The USDA estimates that 30% to 40% of food is wasted annually—more than a billion tons. This video provides an in-depth look at the food supply chain, breaking it down into four stages: production, processing, distribution, and consumption. It is also a featured We Are Teachers Teacher Pick. Teacher Christine Arsenis reviewed the program, stating, “I appreciate how the lesson guides are easy to follow and provide a complete set for educators who are looking to supplement their curriculum with relevant information.”
How it meets standards
This lesson aligns with 64 academic standards, focusing on scientific inquiry and problem-solving.
Why we love it
Using something as familiar as a slice of pizza, the lesson effectively illustrates how easily food waste can occur. This relatable example is perfect for capturing students’ interest.
How might technology contribute to enhanced food sustainability in the future? This nutrition education video explores the past, present, and future to better understand what actions are necessary to make a significant impact.
How it meets standards
The lesson addresses 91 educational standards, including environmental health, technology, and the intersection of society and the environment.
Why we love it
This video serves as a starting point for discussions about food technology, providing a valuable tool for teachers to engage students in these conversations.
This introductory environmental video explains how food choices can impact the planet, from land and water usage to greenhouse gas emissions. Part of the Bite-Sized Learning Series for ages 8-11, it breaks down complex ideas into simple, manageable parts and concludes with a virtual cafeteria activity where students create a more sustainable meal.
How it meets standards
The lesson covers key objectives in environmental science, sustainability, and responsible decision-making, with resources to support extended learning.
Why we love it
Finding age-appropriate content that connects food to environmental impact is challenging, but this lesson excels in doing so. It introduces concepts like pollution and emissions in a relatable manner and encourages students to think critically about their role in helping the environment.
How do dietary choices relate to challenges like deforestation, excessive resource usage, and water and air pollution? This video lesson tackles these questions by examining sustainability as a whole.
How it meets standards
The video lesson aligns with 70 educational standards, including those related to career development, ethical and social responsibility, and design and biotechnology.
Why we love it
The lesson offers a balanced and thoughtful discussion of animal- and plant-based foods. It provides information, encourages dialogue, and suggests practical and accessible dietary changes.
These video lessons are supported by educational guidelines developed by the Educated Choices Program, based on academic standards from the United States, Canada, and other countries. The number of standards aligning with each lesson has been highlighted, which can be explored using their guide, covering key categories such as:
- Family and Consumer Science
- Health, Wellness, and Physical Education
- Environmental and Earth Sciences
- Engineering, Technology, and IT
- Biology and Life Sciences
- Physics and Chemistry
- Language Arts and Literacy
- Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion
- Social Studies
- Careers
- Economics, Business, and Finance
- Mathematics
- Arts
- Foreign Language
Food can be an excellent springboard for teaching subjects like biology, social studies, mathematics, and more. To discover additional free video programs and lessons, visit the Educated Choices Program Library. These ready-made nutrition education lessons are perfect for initiating conversations in your classroom.
