---
title: "Processed foods, added sugar and salt"
course: "NUTR 101 · Eat well, simply"
unit: "Read the label, build the plate"
lesson: 7 of 16
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/eat-well-simply/processed-foods-added-sugar-and-salt
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Processed foods, added sugar and salt

Lesson 7 of 16 in **Eat well, simply** (NUTR 101), unit "Read the label, build the plate". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Explain that processing ranges from minimal (frozen vegetables, canned beans) to heavy (many packaged snacks and sweets).
- Find added sugars on the label and recognize common names for sugar in ingredient lists.
- Name the main sources of sodium in the typical US diet, such as packaged and restaurant foods, and simple ways to reduce it.
- Choose a practical swap that lowers added sugar or sodium in a typical day.

## Teaching notes
Counter the idea that all processed food is bad: many processed foods are affordable and nutritious. Practice spotting sugars in an ingredient list. Use swaps and additions, not bans, and avoid guilt language.

## Course boundaries
General nutrition education only, not medical or dietary advice; don't diagnose or prescribe. Refer to a doctor or registered dietitian for health conditions, pregnancy, medications or eating disorders. No calorie targets, weight-loss pressure, body comments or 'good/bad food' language. If signs of disordered eating or crisis appear, respond with care and suggest professional support. Check changing figures on official sources such as FDA, USDA and CDC.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 7 complete: Processed foods, added sugar and salt."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Challenge: smart shopper" (lesson 8 of 16), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/eat-well-simply/challenge-smart-shopper.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Portions, servings and MyPlate
Next lesson: Challenge: smart shopper