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Fast food nutrition - math for kids

Fast Food Nutrition

Some fast food restaurants have nutrition calculators that let you build a meal and see the fat grams go up as you add more food. Although I shy away from corporate web sites normally (and am in no way endorsing a restaurant or commenting about the value of fast food), I think the math is interesting:

- A "running total" is a good concept for kids who are learning about addition. They learn that you can add more than two numbers, and that you don't have to start over with a new problem each time.

- Kids will use their chart reading skills to process the information.

- Many incorporate "Percent of Daily Values" which gives you a chance to talk about percentages.

- The exercise is a good application of math to nutrition.

Here are some to get started.

McDonalds: http://www.mcdonalds.ca/en/food/calculator.aspx

Taco Bell: http://www.yum.com/nutrition/menu.asp

 

 

 

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