HEALTH, FOOD, AND NUTRITION:
Getting Energy from Protein

Objectives:

• Students will understand that protein is one of three energy sources for the body.

• Students will be able to describe the role protein plays in the body.

• Students will be able to name food sources of protein.

• Students will understand the difference between complete and incomplete proteins.

Suggested Grades:

3rd Grade - 4th Grade - 5th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions. Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt:

You know that sugar from carbohydrates gives your body energy. Your body also gets energy from protein. The body uses protein for a number of things including to make muscles. Of course, you need muscles to move around and be strong and active. Protein is also used to make special molecules that have many different jobs. For example, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen is made from protein. Your heart is made from protein as well. That`s because your heart is a muscle! Protein is also an important part of the system that keeps you from getting sick. Protein can also be turned into sugar if you do not have enough carbohydrates and fat in your diet. But you don`t really want this to happen because your body would have to take the protein from your muscles.

Continued...