Paper People
CONCEPT: PKU Diet
BRIEF SUMMARY
Make Paper People who have PKU. Discuss foods that are high and low in phenylalanine in terms of "yes' and "no" foods for the paper dolls.
OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, children will be able to:
- identify foods that are high in phe
- identify foods that are low in phe
METHODS
Group discussion of high and low phe foods. Ask questions such as:
- What foods are high in protein?
- Where does "phe" come from?
- Do children with PKU need protein? ( Yes, but a special type of protein that does not contain phenylalanine)
- Where do you get your protein? ( formula!!)
- What foods are low in phe?
Make Paper People:
- Help the children each cut out a paper doll.
- Cut out a mouth.
- Tape a paper pocket in back, extending from the cut out mouth to the stomach area (to hold food pictures).
- Color the paper doll.
What can the Paper People eat?
Tell the children that their paper doll has PKU. What can they eat? Given a selection of "yes" and "no" food pictures, have the children identify what their paper doll can eat. The children may present their paper doll with an acceptable PKU meal using these pictures.
Optional:
For older school-age children, lead them in a discussion of other types of special diets and how there are many people who have different types of specific dietary needs.
MATERIALS
- Construction paper (to make the paper dolls)
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Tape
- Pictures of a variety of foods
HOME ACTIVITIES
- Help your child plan meals, snacks, tea parties, etc, for themselves and their PKU paper doll. Include a discussion of "yes" and "no" foods.
- Role play with the paper doll, where the child is the parent and their paper doll has PKU.