Step 1: Hard to stomach

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Step 1: Hard to stomach

Discussing food trends and sustainable eating 

p. 12

1/ The menu of the future

Ex. 1

Brainstorm. Which food trends do you predict for the (near) future? Add your ideas to the word web on the next slide.

Future food trends

Ex. 2

Watch the video about food trends of the future. Add the food trends that were mentioned to the corresponding column. Were any of your ideas mentioned? Add the 'new' ideas to the word web.

Future food trends
(video)

Ex. 3

TWEEPRAAT

Discuss these questions. Take turns. Talk for 1 minute each.

a Which of these predictions do you think will come true?

b Which of these predictions do you think are too far-fetched? Why do you think so?

c Which of these would you like to see happening? Which ones not? Explain why.

Ex. 4

One of the predictions made in the video involved food genetics improvements or so-called GMOs. Look up information online about these GMOs. Add it to the information table below.

Click on these weblinks to fill in the grid.

• weblink 1
• weblink 2
• weblink 3

WHAT?: What does GMO stand for?
G... M... O...

WHEN?: The first wave of GMO produce, created through genetic engineering, became
available to consumers in ...

HOW?: 

Match the icons with the correct explanation.

Inserting that information into the DNA of another organism

 Identifying the genetic information—or “gene”—that gives an organism (plant, animal, or microorganism) a desired trait

Copying that information from the organism that has the trait

growing the new organism

WHY? (pros)

Name at least 5 advantages.

RISKS? (cons)

Name at least 5 disadvantages.

Ex. 5

Discuss these questions with a classmate. Then report to the rest of the class.

a) What kinds of foods that you eat on a regular basis are actually GMOs?

b) Do you trust these GMO foods or are you rather 

skeptical? Why?

2/ Save the planet one bite at a time

Ex. 1

What is the impact of the food we eat on our bodies and the planet? Take the quiz.

How much of global greenhouse gas emissions does food account for?

1. around 10 %
2. over a quarter (26%)
3. over half (51%)

How much of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture?

1. 50%
2. 60%
3. 70%

How many kilograms of greenhouse gases (CO2-equivalents) does producing a kilogram of beef emit compared to peas?

1. It is double. (1 kg of beef = 2 kg of greenhouse gases / 1 kg of peas = 1 kg of greenhouse gases)
2. 30 times more (1 kg of beef = 30 kg of greenhouse gases / 1 kg of peas = 1 kg of greenhouse gases)
3. 60 times more (1 kg of beef = 60 kg of greenhouse gases / 1 kg of peas = 1 kg of greenhouse gases)

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

1. The day in the year when humanity's ecological footprint (its demand for natural resources) exceeds what the planet can renew
2. The day in the year when the hole in the Earth’s ozone layer is at its largest
3. The day in the year when pollution worldwide is at its worst

When was Earth Overshoot Day in 2022?

1. July 28
2. August 28
3. September 28

Which percentage below is correct?

1. 13% of adults in the world are obese
2. 39% of adults in the world are overweight.
3. 20% of children and adolescents are overweight.
4. All of the above.

Which product needs more land, water and energy: 5 litres of tap water or 5 litres of bottled water?

1. Bottled water
2. Tap water
3. Both consume the same resource

Which of these is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint?

1. Eating locally; avoid air-freighted foods where you can
2. Eating less meat and dairy
3. Eating sustainable meats (Pasture-raised or free-range poultry and pork and ocean-friendly seafood)

Ex. 2

Read the text on sustainable eating and answer these questions.

a Fill in the missing words while reading. Choose words from the box.

benefit – environment – food chain – produce – repercussions – requires – reusable – risk – seasonal – shop-bought – species – threat

benefit

environment

food chain

produce

repercussions

requires

reusable

risk

seasonal

shop-bought

species

threat

Ex. 3-4

Prepare these exercises in your workbooks. Work per two. 

3. Look at the words used in the article. Fill in the gaps with the correct words.

The first letter has been given to help you get started.

4/ Fill in the corresponding parts of speech: noun, verb or adjective. Use a(n online) dictionary if necessary.

1) I never really felt as if my life was in p...
when I backpacked through South America on my own.

2) The organic l... industry has grown
substantially in the last few years.

3) The landscape was b...,
with not a tree or shrub in sight.

4) The g... had some lovely local tomatoes on sale today.

5) The production of feed c... has risen dramatically with increased demandfor meat worldwide. This increased production has drastically changed the agricultural
landscape.

6) I’m trying to cut down on d... products, which is difficult because I adore cheese.

7) There has been an improvement in her health since she started to m...
her sugar intake.

8) Lions usually manage to r... about half the number of cubs born to them.

9) Scientists have warned that the use of growth hormones to make c... grow more quickly may result in a health risk for consumers.

10) There is increased demand for organic p... .

Ex. 4

take a marker - fill in the missing words on the whiteboard

Ex. 5

Listen to the first part of the podcast from The Conversation that discusses lab-grown meats.

Complete these facts mentioned in the introduction:

a) ... started working on lab-grown meats in the early ... .

The first lab-grown hamburger was eaten in ... on TV.

b) ... became the first country to approve the sale of these meats.

c) Lab-grown meat is also called ... or ... .

a) NASA started working on lab-grown meats in the early 2000s .

The first lab-grown hamburger was eaten in 2013 on TV.

b) Singapore became the first country to approve the sale of these meats.

c) Lab-grown meat is also called cultured meat or no-kill meat.

Ex. 6

Now divide into groups of 3. You will each get to listen to a clip from a podcast.

You will also get a series of questions. Answer the questions that are discussed in your clip.

3 different handouts with questions