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Mealtime Nutrition Talk

Family members at dinner discuss the ingredients of a healthy meal and the benefits of certain foods.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
This salmon is delicious, Emma! And these roasted vegetables are so colorful.
2
Emma (Female)
Thanks, Mom! I tried to make it as healthy as possible. Salmon is great for omega-3s, and the veggies are packed with vitamins.
3
John (Male)
You really outdid yourself, Emma. I feel healthier just looking at it. What kind of vegetables did you use?
4
Emma (Female)
It's broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. I seasoned them simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper to keep it light.
5
Sarah (Female)
That's a good choice. Broccoli is especially good for you; I read it helps with digestion.
6
John (Male)
And the salmon is supposed to be good for your brain, right? For memory and focus?
7
Emma (Female)
Exactly, Dad. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain health. Plus, it's a great source of lean protein.
8
Sarah (Female)
I'm glad we're incorporating more fish into our diet. It feels much lighter than red meat.
9
John (Male)
Definitely. And the colors on the plate make it so appealing. You eat with your eyes first!
10
Emma (Female)
That's the idea! Healthy food doesn't have to be boring. This is a balanced meal.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

salmon

A type of pinkish fish that is very healthy and often eaten grilled or baked. It's rich in good fats for your heart and brain.

roasted

A cooking method where food is cooked in an oven with dry heat, making vegetables crispy and flavorful without much oil.

omega-3s

Healthy fats found in fish like salmon that support brain function, reduce inflammation, and improve heart health. Pronounced 'oh-MAY-guh threez'.

vitamins

Essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables that help your body fight diseases, stay strong, and work properly. We get them from a varied diet.

broccoli

A green vegetable with small flower-like heads, known for being high in fiber and vitamins, good for digestion and overall health.

digestion

The process by which your body breaks down food to absorb nutrients. Foods like broccoli help make this process easier and prevent stomach issues.

lean protein

Protein from sources like fish or chicken that has little fat, helping you build muscles without adding extra calories.

balanced meal

A meal that includes a mix of proteins, vegetables, carbs, and healthy fats to provide all necessary nutrients for good health.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

This salmon is delicious!

A simple compliment on food during a meal. Use this to praise someone's cooking politely. It's a basic structure: 'This [food] is [adjective]!' which is great for casual conversations.

Salmon is great for omega-3s.

This explains the health benefit of a food using 'is great for [nutrient]'. Useful when discussing nutrition; it shows how to link food to its advantages in everyday talks.

You really outdid yourself.

An idiomatic praise meaning 'you did an excellent job, better than usual'. Use it to compliment effort in cooking or any task. It's informal and common in family settings.

It's broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots.

A listing sentence using commas and 'and' to name ingredients. Helpful for describing recipes; practice this pattern to talk about what's in a dish clearly.

Broccoli is especially good for you; it helps with digestion.

This uses a semicolon to connect two related ideas about health benefits. Use it to explain why a food is healthy; the structure teaches combining facts for better flow in speaking.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain health.

A factual statement using 'essential for [purpose]'. Ideal for nutrition discussions; it demonstrates how to state scientific benefits simply and accurately.

I'm glad we're incorporating more fish into our diet.

Expresses positive change using 'incorporating [something] into [routine]'. Use this when talking about improving habits; it shows present continuous for ongoing actions.

Healthy food doesn't have to be boring.

A motivational phrase using negative structure 'doesn't have to [verb]' to mean 'not necessary to'. Great for encouraging others; it highlights that healthy eating can be enjoyable.