Build-A-Sandwich is an interactive activity where users may select ingredients for a deli sandwich and see how the ingredients impact the kcalorie and nutrient content of a sandwich. As ingredients are selected, an image of the sandwich is shown and nutritive values are provided in various colorful graphics formats, including a standard food label.
An overall nutritional score from 0 -100 is calculated for the final sandwich. Criteria for the nutritional score are provided so users can see where points are subtracted. Users may then choose to alter selected ingredients to improve the nutritional score. The highest nutritional score obtainable from the provided list of ingredients is 92. When used in my classes, I have students provide a list of alternative ingredients that would be needed to obtain that "perfect" score of 100.
Students describe the activity as fun and the responsiveness of the graphics provides a quick analysis of how various ingredients impact the nutritive value of common deli sandwiches.
