Healthy plate, healthy planet quiz!

• Mathematics
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Healthy plate, healthy planet quiz!

Sustainable food refers to food that is produced, processed, and consumed in a way that supports the health and well-being of people and the planet. 

To understand the sustainability of the food we eat, we need to consider the entire food chain, from farm to fork. We must also think about social equity, economic viability and access to safe and nutritious food. 

Every meal is an opportunity to make choices that support the movement towards a more sustainable food system - so let’s choose wisely!

Food and sustainability...

What foods do you 

think are

'SUSTAINABLE'?

To understand the how sustainable the food we eat is, we need to consider three important measurements that tell us about the environmental impact of producing it. They are:

And, of course, we mustn't forget to think about how nutritious the food is for our body too!

Food Sustainability

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs)

2. Water Use

3. Land Use

Greenhouse gases refers to a number of chemicals in the earth’s atmosphere, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and industrial ones like fluorinated or F-gases.

Over millions of years, the earth’s atmosphere has been able to trap “just” the right amount of heat for life on Earth to thrive. But too many of these Greenhouse gases are being added to the earth’s atmosphere, and because they absorb more heat from the sun they are making the earth hotter, like a greenhouse.

What are

Greenhouse Gases?

Match the following common breakfast foods to the correct amount of Greenhouse Gas emissions ...

Low GHG emissions

Medium GHG emissions

High GHG emissions

Blueberries

Eggs

Toast

Bacon

Strawberries

Bananas

Porridge

Mushrooms

Beans

Cheese

Now, match those same foods to the correct amount of water used to produce them...

Low water use

Medium water use

High water use

Blueberries

Eggs

Toast

Bacon

Strawberries

Bananas

Porridge

Mushrooms

Beans

Cheese

Match the following to the correct amount of land needed to produce these foods...

Low land use

Medium land use

High land use

Blueberries

Eggs

Toast

Bacon

Strawberries

Bananas

Porridge

Mushrooms

Beans

Cheese

Now let's test your nutrition knowledge! What foods do you 

think are

'HEALTHY'?

Which of these raw foods has the most 

vitamin C?

1. Oranges
2. Strawberries
3. Red peppers
4. Broccoli

Did you know?

Red peppers are vitamin C superheroes – more than double the C in oranges! They help your immune system stay strong and your skin heal faster!

 

While oranges are famous for their vitamin C content, raw red peppers actually contain more. 

 

Oranges = 52mg/100g, red peppers = 126mg/100g)

How many teaspoons of sugar are in a 330ml can of Coca-Cola original?

1. One
2. Two
3. Five
4. Seven

Why it matters!

Too much sugar can damage your teeth and also make it harder to keep your energy balanced during the day. 

 

 

Which of these are a good source of vitamin D?

1. Sunshine
2. Oily fish
3. Eggs
4. All of the above

Did you know?

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium for strong bones and teeth, especially during winter in Ireland!

Consider including these foods in your usual diet to make sure you are meeting the recommended 15µg of vitamin D per day  

 

 

Which of these helps your body use iron better from foods like beans or spinach?

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B1
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin D

Did you know?

Vitamin C helps absorb iron, which your body needs to carry oxygen in your blood and keep you from feeling tired. 

Try to eat vitamin C rich foods at the same meal time as iron rich foods to help the body absorb this important mineral.   

 

 

Which of these helps your body use iron better from foods like beans or spinach?

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B1
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin D

How did you enjoy the lesson?

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