YUM is an informative nonfiction read for upper elementary and middle grade students. Its focus is on teaching young people the basics of nutrition, on how to be more aware of what they're putting in their bodies. It is not a diet book, a how to lose weight book. If nothing else, the book will teach readers HOW to read food labels and basic definitions of key terms.
In the first chapter, the focus is on macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and protein. In the second chapter, the focus is on micronutrients: Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, and Sodium. In the third chapter, the focus is on how the body digests food. In the fourth chapter, the author provides sample menus and recipes for breakfast, lunch, supper, and morning and afternoon snacks. In the fifth chapter, the practical advice continues on how to make changes and establish good habits. This last chapter covers a little bit of everything: food safety (how long to keep food, how to tell if food has gone bad, etc), grocery shopping, eating out, etc.
The book is written for kids and with kids in mind. The advice is specifically for what growing, active children need to be eating to be healthy.
Nutrition books can become dated quickly, this one isn't as up-to-date as I'd like. But it still has some good, basic information. One thing that makes it continue to be relevant is how reader-friendly it is.
My favorite chapter is probably the one on micronutrients. I loved learning what each nutrient does in the body, and which foods you should eat to get that nutrient.
© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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