You Are What You Eat!
Introduction: It seems like every few months a new diet is proposed that is supposed to “really work,” unlike those other diets. You
(and a partner if you choose) are to write a magazine article describing two “diets” of your choice. Food is the energy for the body
and macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are found in these foods and are digested (breaking bonds)
everyday! As your food travels through your digestive system, these macromolecules are absorbed, and used to make things like
muscle and bone for YOU. So what is the best way to eat????
Step 1:
Choose 2 diets that are supposed to have same effect (weight loss, reduce belly fat, lower cholesterol, etc..). Make sure that you will
be able to find enough credible information. Go beyond the authors and research what other experts are saying. Use credible
sources.
Here is a pretty extensive list, but you are not limited to this list.
http://www.everydiet.org/diets.htm
Step 2: (RESEARCH) You need to provide copy of the resources, as well as. proper MLA citation.
*Research the two diets. Make sure you use multiple sites, not just the authors.
What types of foods are eaten?
Why/How is this diet different than others.
Are calories counted, if so what is allowed.
What are the possible side effects of this diet?
What are expectations of this diet? (weight loss, weight gain, muscle gains, special foods allergy avoidance.)
The pro vs cons of the diet.
Compare the “energy in vs energy out” for a typical day.
*Identify the foods as a carbohydrate, lipid, or protein and the proportions they are recommending.
*Describe how/where each of these macromolecules are broken down by the body, what monomers they are broken into and
how/where they are absorbed in the digestive system. What does the body need from these monomers?
*Display the general structure of each of the identified monomers.
.
Step 3: (CLAIM, EVIDENCE, and REASONING)
Claim: Determine which diet is better.
Evidence: Site the research.
Reasoning: Describe which parameters you are using to determine the better diet. (what are you considering as
better? Weight loss/gain, health, muscle mass, etc.. and how is measured.)
Describe how each of these macromolecules are used in the body once they are broken down and absorbed in the digestive system.
Step 4: (Create)
Design two visual pages of a diet comparison magazine article. One page for each diet, including all the research information only,
not your opinion. A separate written page (each person writes their own if you work with another) arguing your choice on the
better diet, including you parameters and how the diet was judged “better” than the other.
Name____________________________ hr_____________
Diets compared__________________________________
RUBRIC
0
Research
No research is
complete.
Evidence
Evidence is absent
Claim/Evidence/Reasoning
Paper
Page Design
___________________________________________
5
7
Research is very
minimal and/or taken
from 1 source only. Not
own words. No copy of
the research.
Evidence is opinion
only, no paramaters
mentioned.
Research is good.
Several sources used.
Not cited properly. In
student’s own words
Reasoning is absent
Evidence is absent
Reasoning is made-up
and/or non-supported
by research
Reasoning and evidence
is given yet not
complete. Argued
professionally.
Very Poor-thoughtlessly
put together with no
detail and cohesion.
Very basic, little criteria
met. Missing most the
required research.
Explains the diet and
the benefits. Visually
unappealing. Has the
most of the required
information
Evidence is given, yet
not complete and
specific with
parameters.
10
Total
Multiple credible
research sources used.
Correct citation. Copy of
the research included.
Written in own words.
Evidence for claim is
given, complete,
specific with
parameters and
abundant.
Complete reasoning
from sources,
professionally argued
X2
Complete and
Thoughtful. Visual not
just words. Goes
beyond the required
information.
Total
/50