What are calories, and how do calorie needs differ from person to person? Here is a worksheet that briefly explains how calories measure the energy supplied by food, as well as suggests the amount of food an individual should eat per day.

Concepts

caloric intake, calories

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Additional Tags

caloric intake, sedentary, calorie consumption, calories, health

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Instructional Ideas

• Follow up with some instruction on other important dietary features to consider in addition to calorie intake, such as nutritional value, nutrient composition, and an individual's BMI
• Discuss alternative ideas to the "Calories In, Calories Out" approach

Pros

• Simple comparison offered between calorie consumption and the gasoline used in cars 
• Reading followed by six assessment questions

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.6.2 RI.6.4 RI.7.2 RI.7.4 RI.8.2 RI.8.4 RI.9-10.4