Activity 1
[Estimated time required: 5 minutes]
Use the handout Fats & Fat Replacers: Myths and Facts to develop a five question "pre-test" for participants about dietary fat and lower-fat foods. Toward the end of your presentation, provide participants with Fats & Fat Replacers: Myths and Facts as a handout to answer the pre-test questions.

Suggested Handout: Fats & Fat Replacers: Myths and Facts

Activity 2
[Estimated time required: 10 minutes]
For smaller groups (10 participants or fewer), pass around empty boxes or containers of light, reduced-fat, low- or fat-free items. For larger groups, consider photocopying a few package labels (include front panel, Nutrition Facts panel, and ingredient list) as a handout so that participants can see how some of the label claims (e.g., low-fat, fat-free and reduced-fat) are used on the front panels of packages. Have participants check that the amount of fat in the product matches the claim.

Suggested Handout: The Benefits of Balance: Managing Fat in Your Diet

Activity 3
[Estimated time required: 5 minutes]
Use the packages or handouts described in Activity 2. Have participants find the comparison statement that describes how the product is different from its full-fat counterpart. If possible, have packages or photocopies of labels from regular version of products so that participants can compare them directly.

Activity 4
[Estimated time required: 5 minutes]
Use the packages or handouts described in Activity 2. Have participants study the ingredient listing and find the fat replacer(s) used in the product. Discuss how the ingredient list is organized (by weight, descending order).

Suggested Handout: The Benefits of Balance: Managing Fat in Your Diet

Activity 5
[Recommended for groups of 15 or more participants; estimated time required: 15-20 minutes]
Have participant get into groups of three to five people. Encourage participants to name their favorite food and brainstorm with other group members about how they might include it in a healthy diet by making trade-offs. Once everyone has finished, ask people to share their solutions.

Suggested Handout: Food Guide Pyramid: Basic Maintenance for Your Body

Activity 6
[Estimated time required: 5 minutes]
Find at least two products that are lower in fat than their original versions but differ by less than 20 calories per serving. (Hint: Check foods that are "reduced" in fat; they often have similar calories to their original counterparts.) Using either the empty packages or photocopies of the labels, have participants compare the modified products with their original counterparts. If possible, use the food packages or photocopies you have already used for Activities 1-3.

Activity 7
[Recommended for groups of 15 or more; estimated time required: 15 minutes]
Have participants get into groups of three to five people. Provide them with copies of the Benefits of Balance brochure. Ask each group to pick one of the concepts and think of one or two ways they can be realistic, adventurous, flexible, sensible or active. When everyone has finished, have each group share its tips with the rest of the participants.

Suggested Handout: The Benefits of Balance: Managing Fat in Your Diet

Activity 8
[Estimated time requirement: 20 minutes]
Have participants taste different types of reduced, low- and non-fat food products. Include items from different pyramid food group. For example, provide some samples of low-fat crackers, reduced-fat or low-fat cheeses, reduced- or non-fat luncheon meats, and non-fat dips or spreads such as lower-fat margarine. If possible, have them compare the products to their original counterparts. You might even consider "blinding" participants to what they are tasting—have them guess which is the fat-modified version of the product.

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