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ReThink Your Drink

These lessons incorporate nutrition and physical activity recommendations, discuss balancing calorie intake with physical activity levels, and limiting the consumption of soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks.

Description

The curriculum is based on the essential nutrition concepts and skills outlined in the California Health Education Content Standards and the California nutrition competencies. These lessons incorporate nutrition and physical activity recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s and Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines. The guidelines emphasize the importance of balancing caloric intake with physical activity. One significant recommendation includes limiting caloric intake from soda, energy, and sports drinks—a major source of added sugar and calories in the American diet.

What’s Inside

Teacher background, lesson plans, alignment with the California Health Education Content Standards and the California nutrition competencies, student worksheets, and materials for activities are included. Tips for instructional success, guidelines, fact sheets, and feedback forms are also provided.

Activity Highlight

In lesson one, “What’s in Your Drink?” students go on a Nutrition Facts scavenger hunt at home to record information from food labels and bring their results back to class to compare the amount of sugar in products.   

  • Key Content Areas: After School, Cafeteria Connections, Integrated Subjects, MyPlate, Parent/Family Involvement, and Physical Activity

  • Originator of Resources: California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Nutrition Education Obesity Prevention

  • User of Resource: Teachers, Physical Education teachers, and Health Educators

  • Audience: Grades 9–12

  • Languages: English

  • Number of lessons: 3 lessons with multiple activities, 7 activities total

  • Amount of time per lesson: 40–105 minutes

  • Format: Hard copy and free downloadable

Resource

To access the curriculum, visit the CDPH ReThink Your Drink web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact the CDPH by email at NEOPB@cdph.ca.gov or visit the CDPH Contact Us web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
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