Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods that are made in factories and have many ingredients. Examples include chicken nuggets, sugary snacks, and fizzy drinks. People in the UK eat a lot of these foods, especially kids and those with less money. Some experts think UPFs might cause health problems like obesity and heart disease, but they are not sure yet.

Scientists are trying to find out if UPFs are really bad for health. One study showed people who eat a lot of UPFs might die earlier, but it doesn’t prove UPFs are the cause. To know for sure, they need to do more studies, but these are hard and expensive. It’s tough to make sure people follow strict eating rules for a long time in these studies.

There is also confusion about which foods are UPFs. Some processed foods might be okay, like frozen fish fingers. People worry that calling all processed foods bad might make some people feel guilty. Healthier foods can also cost more, which is hard for people with less money. Nutritionists say it’s best to eat a mix of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, even if the UPF debate isn’t settled yet.

Original news source: Why we might never know the truth about ultra-processed foods (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out different ultra-processed foods (like chicken nuggets, sugary snacks, and fizzy drinks) without speaking, while the rest of the class guesses what they are. This will help students learn vocabulary related to the topic.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will walk around the classroom and ask each other if they think ultra-processed foods are healthy or unhealthy. They will collect responses and later share the results with the class. This activity encourages speaking and listening skills.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a catchy headline about ultra-processed foods based on the article. Afterward, they will share their headlines with the class. This will help them practice summarizing information creatively.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: One student will draw a picture of an ultra-processed food item on the board while the others guess what it is. This activity will reinforce vocabulary and encourage collaborative learning.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: As a class, students will create a mind map on the board about ultra-processed foods. They will brainstorm ideas, health effects, and examples, allowing them to visually organize their thoughts and improve their vocabulary related to the topic.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?
2. Can you name some examples of UPFs mentioned in the article?
3. Who eats a lot of ultra-processed foods in the UK?
4. What health problems do some experts think UPFs might cause?
5. Why is it hard for scientists to study the effects of UPFs on health?
6. What do nutritionists suggest people should eat for better health?
7. Why might some people feel guilty about eating processed foods?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods that are made in factories and have many ingredients. Examples include chicken (1)______, sugary snacks, and fizzy drinks. People in the UK eat a lot of these foods, especially kids and those with less (2)______. Some experts (3)______ UPFs might cause health problems like obesity and (4)______ disease, but they are not (5)______ yet.

Scientists are trying to find out if (6)______ are really bad for health. One study showed people who eat a lot of UPFs might die earlier, but it doesn’t prove UPFs are the cause. To know for sure, they need to do more studies, but these are hard and expensive. It’s tough to make sure people follow strict (7)______ rules for a long time in these studies.

There is also (8)______ about which foods are UPFs. Some processed foods might be okay, like frozen (9)______ fingers. People worry that calling all processed foods bad might make some people feel guilty. Healthier foods can also cost more, which is hard for people with less money. (10)______ say it’s best to eat a mix of whole foods, like fruits and (11)______, even if the UPF (12)______ isn’t settled yet.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your favorite food?
2. Do you like eating fast food? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if you had to eat only healthy food for a week?
4. Do you think it is important to eat fruits and vegetables? Why?
5. What is a food you think is unhealthy?
6. Have you ever tried to eat healthier? What did you do?
7. How do you feel when you see someone eating junk food?
8. Do you think kids should eat less sugary snacks? Why or why not?
9. What is your opinion on fizzy drinks? Do you like them?
10. How would you feel if your favorite food was called unhealthy?
11. Do you think it is hard for people to eat healthy food? Why?
12. What is a healthy snack you enjoy?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. ultra-processed
2. ingredients
3. obesity
4. scientists
5. expensive
6. strict
7. confusion
8. frozen
9. guilty
10. nutritionists
11. debate
12. settled

Meanings:
(A) Feeling bad because you think you did something wrong
(B) Made very cold to keep it fresh
(C) Very firm and not easy to change
(D) Things you mix together to make food
(E) People who study and learn about things
(F) A discussion where people have different opinions
(G) Costs a lot of money
(H) Being very overweight
(I) People who know a lot about healthy eating
(J) Not understanding something clearly
(K) Made in a way that changes it a lot from its natural form
(L) Decided or finished completely
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?
(a) Foods made in factories with many ingredients
(b) Foods made at home with fresh ingredients
(c) Foods that are only fruits and vegetables
(d) Foods that are always healthy

2. Who eats a lot of UPFs in the UK?
(a) Only adults
(b) Only rich people
(c) Only old people
(d) Kids and people with less money

3. What health problems might UPFs cause?
(a) Colds and headaches
(b) Broken bones
(c) Allergies
(d) Obesity and heart disease

4. What did one study show about people who eat a lot of UPFs?
(a) They are always happy
(b) They never get sick
(c) They might die earlier
(d) They live longer

5. Why is it hard to study the effects of UPFs on health?
(a) People don’t want to eat healthy
(b) There are too many foods to test
(c) Studies are hard and expensive
(d) Scientists don’t care about health

6. What do some people worry about when talking about processed foods?
(a) They might get sick
(b) They might feel guilty
(c) They might get rich
(d) They might lose weight

7. What do nutritionists recommend eating?
(a) Only ultra-processed foods
(b) A mix of whole foods like fruits and vegetables
(c) Only snacks and sweets
(d) Only frozen foods

8. What is still not settled about UPFs?
(a) Whether they are bad for health
(b) How to cook them
(c) Where to buy them
(d) How to make them at home

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Examples of ultra-processed foods exclude chicken nuggets and sugary snacks.
2. Many people in the UK, especially kids and those with less money, eat a lot of ultra-processed foods.
3. Some experts think that eating ultra-processed foods might lead to health problems like obesity and heart disease.
4. There is clarity about which foods are considered ultra-processed.
5. Ultra-processed foods are made in kitchens and have few ingredients.
6. Scientists are studying whether ultra-processed foods are really bad for health.
7. Nutritionists recommend eating a mix of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, even if the debate about ultra-processed foods is not settled.
8. One study confirmed that people who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods might die earlier, and it is certain.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?
2. Why do some experts think UPFs might be bad for our health?
3. What did one study find about people who eat a lot of UPFs?
4. Why is it hard for scientists to study the effects of UPFs on health?
5. What do nutritionists suggest we eat to stay healthy?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods made in factories with many ingredients.

2. Can you name some examples of UPFs mentioned in the article?
Examples of UPFs include chicken nuggets, sugary snacks, and fizzy drinks.

3. Who eats a lot of ultra-processed foods in the UK?
Many kids and people with less money eat a lot of ultra-processed foods in the UK.

4. What health problems do some experts think UPFs might cause?
Some experts think UPFs might cause health problems like obesity and heart disease.

5. Why is it hard for scientists to study the effects of UPFs on health?
It is hard for scientists to study UPFs because they need to make sure people follow strict eating rules for a long time, and these studies are expensive.

6. What do nutritionists suggest people should eat for better health?
Nutritionists suggest that people should eat a mix of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, for better health.

7. Why might some people feel guilty about eating processed foods?
Some people might feel guilty about eating processed foods because they worry that all processed foods are bad for them.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) nuggets
(2) money
(3) think
(4) heart
(5) sure
(6) UPFs
(7) eating
(8) confusion
(9) fish
(10) Nutritionists
(11) vegetables
(12) debate
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. ultra-processed
Answer: (K) Made in a way that changes it a lot from its natural form

2. ingredients
Answer: (D) Things you mix together to make food

3. obesity
Answer: (H) Being very overweight

4. scientists
Answer: (E) People who study and learn about things

5. expensive
Answer: (G) Costs a lot of money

6. strict
Answer: (C) Very firm and not easy to change

7. confusion
Answer: (J) Not understanding something clearly

8. frozen
Answer: (B) Made very cold to keep it fresh

9. guilty
Answer: (A) Feeling bad because you think you did something wrong

10. nutritionists
Answer: (I) People who know a lot about healthy eating

11. debate
Answer: (F) A discussion where people have different opinions

12. settled
Answer: (L) Decided or finished completely
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?
Answer: (a) Foods made in factories with many ingredients

2. Who eats a lot of UPFs in the UK?
Answer: (d) Kids and people with less money

3. What health problems might UPFs cause?
Answer: (d) Obesity and heart disease

4. What did one study show about people who eat a lot of UPFs?
Answer: (c) They might die earlier

5. Why is it hard to study the effects of UPFs on health?
Answer: (c) Studies are hard and expensive

6. What do some people worry about when talking about processed foods?
Answer: (b) They might feel guilty

7. What do nutritionists recommend eating?
Answer: (b) A mix of whole foods like fruits and vegetables

8. What is still not settled about UPFs?
Answer: (a) Whether they are bad for health
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Examples of ultra-processed foods exclude chicken nuggets and sugary snacks. (Answer: False)
2. Many people in the UK, especially kids and those with less money, eat a lot of ultra-processed foods. (Answer: True)
3. Some experts think that eating ultra-processed foods might lead to health problems like obesity and heart disease. (Answer: True)
4. There is clarity about which foods are considered ultra-processed. (Answer: False)
5. Ultra-processed foods are made in kitchens and have few ingredients. (Answer: False)
6. Scientists are studying whether ultra-processed foods are really bad for health. (Answer: True)
7. Nutritionists recommend eating a mix of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, even if the debate about ultra-processed foods is not settled. (Answer: True)
8. One study confirmed that people who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods might die earlier, and it is certain. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧