Introducing Super Foods

Why Teach Super Foods? Developmentally appropriate Engaging and student directed Saves on Food Budget Based on National Standards Effects behavior change Simple grading rubric

“FILL UP” on Power Foods for Exceptional Health Benefits! They are loaded with phytonutrients that are nonvitamin, nonmineral components in food that provide health benefits. They are proven to help prevent and reverse aging, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, dementia, and extend your health span.

Broccoli One of the most powerful foods in one’s dietary arsenal against cancer!

Beans Low-fat protein Fiber B Vitamins Iron Phytonutrients

Blueberries One of the 3 major super Power Foods! One of the foods highest in antioxidants

Oats It can lower serum cholesterol levels, especially LDL

ORANGES Americas 1 st health food!

Pumpkin One of the most nutritionally valuable foods we have Not a vegetable, but a fruit

WILD SALMON Hasn’t been included in our diets like it should be Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids

Soy Inexpensive source of protein Vitamin Rich Lots of fiber Plant source of omega-3 fatty acids Offers a wealth of phytonutrients

Spinach We have more information on spinach than any other potential candidate of nutrient health benefits

TEA Loaded with antioxidants No calories Relaxation Tastes good Lowers blood pressure Reduces Cancer

Tomatoes Excellent source of lycopene, that helps prevent cancer, raises the SPF factor of your skin, helps prevent blindness

Turkey One of the leanest protein sources Inexpensive Lower in saturated fat than chicken

Eating a handful of these a day may reduce your chance of having a heart attack by as much as 51% WALNUTS

Yogurt Contributes to the balance of microorganisms in the body Digestible form of milk products that provide calcium

Avocados One of the most nutritionally- dense fruits per gram Improves body’s ability to absorb nutrients

Cinnamon Cinnamon functions as a “brain boost” Encourages cognitive ability Is a glucose moderator and is antibacterial

Dark Chocolate Has more flavonols than apples, cherries, red wine, and tea

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Reduces the risk for breast/ colon cancer Lowers blood pressure Improves cardiovascular health Good source of vitamin E

Garlic It is a anti- inflammatory and has antiviral properties Has been used to treat stroke, cancer, immune disorders, arthritis, and cerebral aging

Honey Treatment for respiratory diseases, skin ulcers, wounds, urinary diseases, and dandruff Darker the honey, higher levels of antioxidants

Kiwi Helps prevent asthma, osteoarthritis and colon cancer Reduces the risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease

Onions Reduce risk of heart disease by 20% Lowers risk of cancers of the lungs, brain, stomach and esophagus

Pomegranates They have 2 to 3 times the antioxidant power of equal amounts of green tea or red wine!

Apples Have been proven to be potent weapons against cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type II diabetes compared with other fruits and vegetables

Turmeric One of natures most powerful healers, it is proven to help in the treatment of cancer, alzheimer's, purification of the liver, and arthritis.

ACAI Berry Some studies show that Acai has a very high antioxidant capacity with even more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry.

Super Food Project Select a Super Food that you want to become more knowledgeable about and sign up to reserve it Prepare a lesson about the food and its benefits Power Point or Poster Visuals Required Find a recipe or sample of the food that you can prepare in 5 minutes or less of class time Teach lesson and share sample of the food (10 minute max) Use presentation rubric as a guide. Presentations will be next week on_________

Assessment for all presentations What is the Super Food? What do we know about the history of the food? What are the nutritional and/or health benefits of the food? How much do you need? Are there any “side kicks?” How can you incorporate the food in your diet? What are other interesting facts about this particular power food?

Resources Used SuperFoods RX Steven Pratt, M.D., and Kathy Matthews SuperFoods HealthStyle Steven G. Pratt, M.D., & Kathy Matthews