Glencoe Science Level Green

Unit 4: Human Body Systems

Vitamin rich menu

Introduction:
Vitamins play an important role in body functions. For example, vitamin B₁ is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and for normal nerve and heart function. Pork, kidney beans, and whole-grain cereals are good sources of vitamin B₁. Many people take a multi-vitamin supplement to make sure they are getting enough of the essential vitamins their body needs.

Task:
Research the role of vitamin B₁, or another vitamin from the list below, in the body. What is the recommended daily allowance for the vitamin? Make a list of foods that are rich in the vitamin you have chosen and create a menu for a full day's meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), making sure that each meal contains at least one food from the list.

Vitamin List

Vitamin A
Vitamin B₁
Vitamin B₂
Vitamin B₃
Vitamin B₅
Vitamin B₆
Vitamin B₉
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K

Time:
1 class period to complete the research and 1 class period to create the menu.

Resources:
Visit these web sites for more information on vitamins.

Vitamin B₁
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec12/ch154/ch154f.html

Nutrition Facts and Information
http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutrition/nutrition.asp

The Vitamins and Nutrition Center
http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/

Kids Health - Vitamins
http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/vitamin.html

How Vitamin B Works
http://home.howstuffworks.com/vitamin-b.htm