Big and small questions?

ATL

Critical-thinking skills: Formulate questions

As the saying in English goes, 'you are what you eat'. The media are often full of stories about diet and what are the best foods. Find out about some of these claims using the search term: super foods.

If we want to test the claims in the media scientifically, we need to ask the right questions.

Individually or in pairs, look at the list of questions in the box. The questions are mixed up randomly.

Organize them into a list showing the order from the 'biggest’ question to the 'smallest’ from the most general, to the most specific.

• What does our body need to work? How much energy do different foods contain?

• Which is the best food to eat?

• How much mineral content do different foods have?

• What kinds of food are there?

• How much protein do different foods contain?

Now use the search term: super foods NHS choices and read one or two of the articles on the site.

Discuss: How scientific are the claims made for super foods? Are they valid?

Outline what is meant by a ’super food’ in your own words. Summarize the evidence you found for the existence of super foods.