Lesson Plan
Detective Briefing
Students will analyze real food labels to detect hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and misleading marketing claims and document their findings in a structured detective journal.
This lesson builds critical nutrition literacy, empowering 10th graders to make healthier eating choices by decoding food labels and spotting marketing tactics.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive detective-themed label analysis and journaling.
Materials
Prep
Print and Organize Materials
15 minutes
- Print one copy per student of Nutrition Label Case Files Worksheet and Your Detective Report Journal
- Load and test the Clues on the Label Deck on your classroom projector or display
- Collect 3–5 real food packages (snacks, drinks) to use alongside the worksheet samples
Step 1
Mission Briefing
5 minutes
- Introduce today’s detective mission: uncover hidden ingredients and marketing tricks on food labels
- Explain objectives: identify added sugars, unhealthy fats, serving sizes, and marketing claims
- Define key terms: “added sugars,” “trans fats,” “serving size,” and “nutrient claims”
Step 2
Clue Exploration
10 minutes
- Present the Clues on the Label Deck slide deck
- Walk through common label sections: total calories, sugars, fats, ingredients list
- Highlight examples of hidden sugars (e.g., high-fructose corn syrup), unhealthy fats, and misleading claims ("natural," "light")
- Pause for student Q&A on any confusing terms
Step 3
Case File Investigation
15 minutes
- Distribute Nutrition Label Case Files Worksheet and real food packages
- In pairs, students examine each label and note:
- Total vs. added sugars
- Types of fats listed
- Serving size vs. portion students typically consume
- Any marketing claims that might mislead consumers
- Circulate to support analysis and prompt deeper questions
Step 4
Detective Report Journaling
10 minutes
- Ask students to complete Your Detective Report Journal individually
- Report should include:
- One surprising finding
- A recommendation for a healthier alternative
- Reflection on how marketing shaped their perception
- Encourage use of label vocabulary learned earlier
Step 5
Debrief & Share
10 minutes
- Invite 3–4 volunteers to share a key discovery or recommendation from their reports
- Discuss as a class:
- Which labels were easiest/hardest to decode?
- How can students apply these skills when shopping or eating out?
- Conclude by summarizing best practices for reading food labels and making informed choices
Slide Deck
Clues on the Label
Today we become food label detectives. We will learn to identify hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and marketing tricks that can mislead us about a product’s healthfulness.
Welcome students and introduce the slide deck. Explain that you will guide them through the main sections of a nutrition label and point out common “clues” that reveal hidden ingredients and misleading claims.
Key Sections of a Nutrition Label
Serving Size and Servings Per Container
Calories
Total Fat (saturated, trans)
Cholesterol and Sodium
Total Carbohydrate (dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars)
Protein
Ingredient List
Display a large image of a standard Nutrition Facts label on the screen. Point out each section as you mention it.
Detecting Hidden Sugars
Look beyond “sugars” on the sugar line. Check the ingredient list for sugar aliases:
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Cane sugar, raw sugar, turbinado
• Dextrose, maltose, fructose
• Evaporated cane juice
• Honey, molasses
If any appear near the top, this product is high in added sugars.
Show an ingredient list from a real snack package. Highlight all sugar-derived terms as you discuss them.
Spotting Unhealthy Fats
Total Fat can mask unhealthy types:
• Trans Fats: often listed as "partially hydrogenated oil"
• Saturated Fats: check amount per serving
If a product claims 0g trans fat but lists hydrogenated oils in ingredients, it still contains small amounts.
Display a label from a packaged snack that lists trans fats or “partially hydrogenated oil.” Circle those terms.
Marketing Claims vs. Reality
Common front-of-pack claims:
• “All Natural” or “100% Natural”
• “Light” or “Low-Fat”
• “Sugar-Free” or “Reduced Sugar”
These focus on one nutrient but may ignore added sugars, sodium, or unhealthy fats elsewhere on the label.
Show front-of-package images with “natural,” “light,” or “low-fat” claims. Discuss how these can be misleading.
Your Detective Checklist
- Compare total sugars to added sugars
- Scan ingredient list for sugar aliases and hydrogenated oils
- Note serving size vs. portion you’d actually eat
- Question any health claims on the package
- Record surprising findings in your journal
Explain that these are the same steps students will use in pairs during the investigation. Encourage them to refer back to this slide.
Practice: What Do You See?
Examine this label:
• Identify any hidden sugars in the ingredients
• Note any unhealthy fats listed
• Call out front-of-pack claims and decide if they’re misleading
Display a real cereal box label. Ask students to call out one hidden sugar or misleading claim they see.
Next up: Case File Investigation
In pairs, you will apply these detective skills to real food labels and complete your Nutrition Label Case Files Worksheet. Look for the clues we’ve covered and annotate your findings.
Transition to the next activity. Remind students to grab their worksheets and real food packages.
Worksheet
Nutrition Label Case Files
Instructions: In pairs, act as food label detectives. Examine each assigned product and record your findings below. Use your Clues on the Label Deck to guide your analysis.
Case File #1
Food Product Name: ___________________________________________
- Serving Size vs. Actual Portion
• Serving size listed: _______________________
• Portion you’d typically consume: _______________ - Sugars
• Total sugars (g): __________
• Added sugars (g): __________
• Sugar aliases found in ingredients list: ___________________________________________ - Fats
• Total fat (g): __________
• Saturated fat (g): __________
• Trans fat (g): __________
• Unhealthy fats or hydrogenated oils listed: ___________________________________________ - Front-of-Pack Marketing Claims
_____________________________________________________________________________________ - Detective Observations & Questions
- Surprising finding:
- Question or doubt about this label:
- Surprising finding:
Case File #2
Food Product Name: ___________________________________________
- Serving Size vs. Actual Portion
• Serving size listed: _______________________
• Portion you’d typically consume: _______________ - Sugars
• Total sugars (g): __________
• Added sugars (g): __________
• Sugar aliases found in ingredients list: ___________________________________________ - Fats
• Total fat (g): __________
• Saturated fat (g): __________
• Trans fat (g): __________
• Unhealthy fats or hydrogenated oils listed: ___________________________________________ - Front-of-Pack Marketing Claims
_____________________________________________________________________________________ - Detective Observations & Questions
- Surprising finding:
- Question or doubt about this label:
- Surprising finding:
Case File #3
Food Product Name: ___________________________________________
- Serving Size vs. Actual Portion
• Serving size listed: _______________________
• Portion you’d typically consume: _______________ - Sugars
• Total sugars (g): __________
• Added sugars (g): __________
• Sugar aliases found in ingredients list: ___________________________________________ - Fats
• Total fat (g): __________
• Saturated fat (g): __________
• Trans fat (g): __________
• Unhealthy fats or hydrogenated oils listed: ___________________________________________ - Front-of-Pack Marketing Claims
_____________________________________________________________________________________ - Detective Observations & Questions
- Surprising finding:
- Question or doubt about this label:
- Surprising finding:
After completing these case files, use your findings to fill out Your Detective Report Journal.
Journal
Your Detective Report
Instructions: Using your completed Nutrition Label Case Files Worksheet, reflect on your detective work by answering the prompts below.
1. Surprising Finding
Describe one discovery you made that surprised you most when analyzing the food labels. Explain why it caught you off guard.
2. Healthier Recommendation
Based on your investigation, recommend a healthier alternative to one of the products you examined. Describe the alternative and explain how it improves on sugars, fats, serving size, or misleading claims.
3. Marketing Influence
Reflect on how front-of-package claims influenced your initial impression of a product. Which claim(s) seemed most misleading, and how did your label analysis change your view?
4. Label Literacy in Daily Life
Describe at least two specific strategies you will use when shopping or eating out to make healthier choices using your label detective skills.
5. Detective Motto
Write a personal pledge or motto that captures your commitment to reading food labels and making informed choices (e.g., “Read, Realize, Refuse”).