A balanced diet for health and performance
I can explain the role of various macro- and micronutrients in a balanced diet and their impact on physical performance and health, and optimum weight.
A balanced diet for health and performance
I can explain the role of various macro- and micronutrients in a balanced diet and their impact on physical performance and health, and optimum weight.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A balanced diet consists of the right amounts of macronutrients, micronutrients and fibre for their various benefits.
- A person's optimum weight varies for several reasons and according to the sports they perform.
- Diet is specfic to the needs of the activities performed and athletes will time the intake of macronutirents to suit.
- Hydration is a vital factor in health and performance in sport due to the negative consequences of dehydration.
Keywords
Macronutrients - a type of food required in relatively large amounts in the diet, e.g. carbohydrates and fats
Micronutrients - a type of food required in relatively small quantities in the diet, e.g. vitamins and minerals
Optimum weight - refers to the weight someone should be, on average, based on their sex, height, bone structure and muscle girth
Hydration - being hydrated means the body has the correct amount of water in cells, tissues and organs to function correctly
Common misconception
There are many misconceptions about diet, such as the need to cut out carbohydrates or fat because they are seen as responsible for weight gain.
A balanced diet requires all macronutrients because each has its own benefits to the body and health. Cutting any of them out completely will negatively impact overall health and performance in sport and phyiscal activity.
To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: A balanced diet for health and performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: A balanced diet for health and performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Health and well-being: diet and nutrition unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
consuming more calories each day than you expend (calorie surplus)
consuming and expending a balanced amount of calories each day
consuming less calories than you expend each day (calorie deficit)
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the main source of energy in both aerobic and anaerobic activities
provides energy in low intensity, long duration activities
used for growth and repair of muscles
maintaining strong, dense bones and teeth
formation of haemoglobin to transport oxygen in blood
helps immune function and fighting infection
helps us maintain our vision