Label Detectives Slides MISSION 1: THE NUTRITION FACTS
Food Detective Agency
Become a
Label Detective
Every box of food has a secret code. Today, you will learn to scan, search, and uncover what is really inside!
CASE FILE #101
Scan the clues. Uncover the facts.
High School Essential Skills
THE BIG QUESTION
Food Detective Agency
CRUNCHY OATS
Flip to the Back!
Why Read the Nutrition Facts Label?
Know What's Inside
Food companies use bright colors, but the label shows the real truth.
Make Healthy Choices
Choose foods that make your body feel strong, energized, and ready!
Clue #1: Front packaging says "Delicious!"—back label says what's inside.
Slide 2 of 6
THE CLUE MAP
Food Detective Agency
The 3 Key Areas of a Label
As detectives, we look for these specific sections first. They are color-coded to help us scan!
1
Serving Size
Tells us how much is in one serving.
2
Calories
How much energy you get from this food.
3
Nutrients
The sugar, fats, sodium, and vitamins.
Nutrition Facts
Section 1 Serving Details
Serving size: 1 cup (228g)
Section 2 Energy
Calories 250
Section 3 Nutrients
Total Fat 12g 18%
Sodium 470mg 20%
Total Sugars 5g --
Notice how the layout always follows the exact same order!
Slide 3 of 6
CLASSROOM MISSION
Food Detective Agency
Spot the Nutrition Clues!
Look closely at the label on the right. With your classmates, let's scan and find:
1. What is the Serving Size ?
2. How many Calories are there?
3. How much Sodium (Salt) is inside?
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 Can (355mL)
Calories
140
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 45mg 2%
Total Sugars 39g --
Protein 0g 0%
Hint: Scan the bold text! Is this a can of soda or a box of cereal?
Slide 4 of 6
MISSION CONTRAST
Food Detective Agency
FOOD A
Apple Slices
1 Bag (80g)
Calories 45
Total Sugar 9g
VS
Who Wins the
Healthy Trophy?
Compare Calories and Sugars. Which food is the better choice for your body?
FOOD B
Sweet Cookie
2 Cookies (40g)
Calories 180
Total Sugar 22g
Detective Strategy: Lower calories and lower sugar usually make a great choice!
Slide 5 of 6
MISSION DEBRIEF
Food Detective Agency
Case Closed,
Detectives!
You are now certified Label Detectives. You have the power to scan food labels and find the key facts!
You found the Serving Size
You located the Calories
You scanned the Nutrients
Your Next Task
Complete your **Label Detectives Worksheet** to secure your official detective badge!
Open Case Files Now
Up Next Lesson: The Mystery of Serving Sizes...
Slide 6 of 6
Label Detectives Worksheet FOOD DETECTIVE AGENCY
MISSION 1: Label Blueprint
LEVEL 1 ACTIVITY
DETECTIVE NAME:
MISSION DATE:
DETECTIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
Look at the color-coded label on the left. Find the clues marked 1, 2, and 3 . Write the correct number in the box next to its meaning on the right!
EASY SCAN
Nutrition Facts
1
Serving Size: 1 Cup (200g)
2
Calories 150
3
Total Fat 4g 5%
Sodium 200mg 9%
Total Sugars 8g --
CALORIES CLUE
Shows the amount of energy you get. Find the number next to Calories !
SERVING SIZE CLUE
Shows how much food is in one serving. It is always at the very top !
NUTRIENTS CLUE
Shows the details like fat, salt, and sugars. Located at the bottom .
Scan carefully. Check your numbers twice.
PAGE 1 of 2
FOOD DETECTIVE AGENCY
MISSION 2: Scan & Uncover
LEVEL 2 ACTIVITY
CASE FILES: MAC & CHEESE CASE
Below is a real-world label for a box of macaroni and cheese. Scan the details on the left, then answer the questions on the right. Write clearly!
Super Mac
Macaroni & Cheese
Nutrition Facts
Serving size 1/2 Box (70g)
Calories 260
Total Fat 3g 4%
Sodium 570mg 25%
Total Carb. 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 6g --
Protein 9g --
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
1 What is the SERVING SIZE?
Look at the very top of the label.
2 How many CALORIES are in one serving?
Look for the big, bold number.
3 How much SUGAR is in one serving?
Find "Total Sugars" under carbs.
4 Where do we find this nutrition facts label?
On the FRONT of the package
On the BACK of the package
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Return your case file to your teacher.
PAGE 2 of 2
Label Detectives Teacher Guide ADMINISTRATIVE CASE FILE
Label Detectives Guide
High School Essential Skills (Grades 9-12) | Core Lesson Plan & Keys
TEACHER RESOURCE
LESSON OBJECTIVE
Students will successfully identify the location and meaning of three core sections of a standard FDA nutrition label: Serving Size , Calories , and Nutrients , using structured visual guides and scanning prompts.
SUGGESTED PACING (45 MIN)
Direct Instruction (Slides 1-3) 10 min
Classroom Search (Slide 4) 10 min
Independent Work (Worksheet) 20 min
Debrief & Exit Card (Slide 6) 5 min
SLIDE FACILITATION & DISCUSSION SCRIPT
Slide 1-2 (The Setup): Introduce the concept of a "Food Detective". Pass around empty cereal or snack boxes. Ask students: "Where on this box is the secret recipe code? What tells us what is actually inside?" Have them turn the boxes around to physically locate the label.
Slide 3 (The Anatomy): Walk through the three color-coded sections on the slide. Emphasize that nutrition facts are always in the exact same order on every food item in America.
Slide 4 (Interactive Spot): Call on individual students or run a whole-group "choral response" scanning game: "Point to the serving size. Where are the giant calories?"
Slide 5 (Compare): Ask: "Why are apples healthier than cookies?" Help students connect lower calories and sugars to better bodily energy.
SCAFFOLDING (LOW LEVEL)
Have students use physical, colored highlighters (Green, Yellow, Blue) to color-code their worksheets to match Slide 3.
For matching cards, prompt: "Which number matches the bright green box on your sheet?"
EXTENSION (HIGH LEVEL)
Ask advanced students to calculate total calories if they ate the **whole box** of Super Mac instead of just half the box.
Have them compare sodium content across different real food items in the class.
OFFICIAL STUDY SHEET & WORKSHEET ANSWER KEY
Page 1: Label Blueprint
• Calories Box: Fill with number 2
• Serving Size Box: Fill with number 1
• Nutrients Box: Fill with number 3
Page 2: Scan & Uncover
• Q1 (Serving Size): 1/2 Box (or 70g)
