Why Do Humans Need a Balanced Diet?
Objective: By the end of this activity you should be able to design a balanced diet for an athlete
based on your knowledge of macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins).
Directions: Use the template below to create a full day of meals for an athlete of your choice!
Meal Plan
Athlete Name _________________________________ Sport _________________________
Breakfast
Food Containing a Carbohydrate
Strawberries
Food Containing a Lipid (Fat)
Food Containing a Protein
What are some unhealthy examples of
breakfast foods athletes should not eat?
Cocoa Puffs
Why are the foods you listed above
unhealthy?
Cocoa Puffs have too much sugar, which can
lead to diabetes
Lunch
Food Containing a Carbohydrate
Food Containing a Lipid (Fat)
Food Containing a Protein
Why did you choose these foods?
What are some unhealthy examples of
lunch foods athletes should not eat?
Why are the foods you listed above
unhealthy?
Dinner
Food Containing a Carbohydrate
Food Containing a Lipid (Fat)
Food Containing a Protein
Why did you choose these foods?
What are some unhealthy examples of
dinner foods athletes should not eat?
Why are the foods you listed above
unhealthy?
Questions
1. How will the athlete’s body use carbohydrates? In other words, what function do they do
for the body?
2. How will the athlete’s body use proteins? In other words, what function do they do for the
body?
3. How will the athlete’s body use lipids? In other words, what function do they do for the
body?
4. Like all living things, plants also need carbohydrates, lipids and proteins to function
properly.
When would a plant need lipids?
Example: Lipids provide long term energy for plants. Plants have many lipids in their seeds so
that the seedling has enough energy stored away to power growth until it reaches the surface of
the soil. Once the seedling reaches the surface, it will be able to perform photosynthesis to
fulfill its energy needs.
b. When would a plant need carbohydrates?
c. When would a plant need proteins?