WAEC Syllabus for Food and Nutrition 2026

1. Nutrition and Health

This section introduces the fundamentals of nutrition and how food affects human health.

Introduction to Food and Nutrition

Candidates should study:

• Meaning of food
• Meaning of nutrition
• Importance of nutrition
• Relationship between food and health
• Factors affecting nutrition
• Food habits
• Healthy eating practices

Careers in Food and Nutrition

Study the following careers:

• Dietitian
• Nutritionist
• Chef
• Caterer
• Food Scientist
• Home Economist
• Food Technologist
• Quality Control Officer
• Food Safety Inspector

You should also understand:

• Factors influencing career choice
• Personal qualities required
• Skills needed for success

Basic Food Nutrients

Candidates should understand all six classes of nutrients.

Carbohydrates

Study:

• Meaning
• Functions
• Sources
• Deficiency diseases
• Digestion and absorption

Proteins

Study:

• Functions
• Animal and plant sources
• Deficiency diseases
• Digestion and metabolism

Fats and Oils

Study:

• Types
• Sources
• Functions
• Digestion
• Health implications

Vitamins

Study:

• Fat-soluble vitamins
• Water-soluble vitamins
• Sources
• Functions
• Deficiency symptoms

Minerals

Study:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Iodine
• Zinc
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Potassium

Know their:

• Sources
• Functions
• Deficiency diseases

Water

Study:

• Functions
• Sources
• Importance
• Daily requirements

Food Composition Table

Candidates should learn how to:

• Read food composition tables
• Compare nutrient contents
• Use tables for meal planning

Food Tests

Practical knowledge of testing food nutrients.

Know tests for:

• Starch
• Sugar
• Protein
• Fat

Understand both:

• Physical tests
• Chemical tests

2. Meal Management

Meal Planning

Study:

• Meaning of meal planning
• Importance of planning meals
• Factors affecting meal planning
• Principles of meal planning
• Meal patterns

Special Nutritional Needs

Know the nutritional requirements of:

• Infants
• Children
• Adolescents
• Adults
• Pregnant women
• Nursing mothers
• Elderly persons
• Vegetarians

Also study meal planning for people with:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• HIV/AIDS
• Obesity
• Underweight
• Convalescence
• Invalids

3. Food Laboratory and Equipment

The Kitchen

Study:

• Traditional kitchens
• Modern kitchens
• Institutional kitchens

Understand:

• Kitchen planning
• Kitchen layout
• Factors considered during planning

Kitchen Equipment

Learn:

• Large equipment
• Small equipment
• Kitchen tools
• Appliances

Know:

• Selection
• Uses
• Care
• Maintenance
• Storage

Kitchen Safety

Study:

• Types of kitchen accidents
• Causes
• Prevention

Learn:

• First aid box contents
• First aid treatment

Kitchen Sanitation

Study:

Personal Hygiene

• Hand washing
• Personal cleanliness
• Proper dressing

Kitchen Hygiene

• Cleaning
• Waste disposal
• Pest control

Food Hygiene

Learn:

• Safe food handling
• Food contamination
• Food poisoning
• Food sanitation laws

4. Food Commodities

Candidates should understand the characteristics, selection, storage, and uses of different food commodities.

Animal Foods

Study:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Meat
• Poultry
• Fish

Know:

• Nutritive value
• Storage
• Selection

Cereals and Grains

Study:

• Types
• Uses
• Importance
• Nutritive value

Fruits and Vegetables

Study:

• Classification
• Structure
• Storage
• Nutritional importance

Legumes and Oil Seeds

Study:

• Beans
• Cowpea
• Groundnut
• Soybean
• Melon seed

Know:

• Classification
• Uses
• Nutritional importance

Fats and Oils

Study:

• Animal fats
• Vegetable oils
• Functions
• Health effects

Starchy Roots and Plantain

Study:

• Yam
• Cassava
• Sweet potato
• Cocoyam
• Plantain

Know:

• Types
• Dishes prepared
• Uses

5. Food Storage and Preservation

Food Spoilage

Study:

• Meaning
• Causes
• Agents of spoilage

Food Preservation

Know:

• Importance
• Principles
• Methods

Methods include:

• Drying
• Smoking
• Salting
• Refrigeration
• Freezing
• Bottling
• Canning

Food Storage

Study:

• Perishable foods
• Non-perishable foods

Storage facilities include:

• Refrigerators
• Deep freezers
• Shelves
• Granaries
• Barns
• Cupboards

6. Food Preparation

Principles of Cooking

Study:

• Meaning of cooking
• Reasons for cooking food

Methods of Cooking

Moist Heat Methods

• Boiling
• Steaming
• Stewing
• Poaching

Dry Heat Methods

• Baking
• Frying
• Roasting
• Grilling

Study the effects of heat on different foods.

Heat Transfer

Understand:

• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation

Cooking Terms

Know common cooking terminologies used in recipes.

Food Additives

Study:

• Meaning
• Types
• Functions
• Uses
• Food adulteration

7. Flour Cookery and Confectionery

Types of Flour

Study:

• Wheat flour
• Root flour
• Cereal flour
• Legume flour

Basic Ingredients

Know the functions of:

• Flour
• Eggs
• Fat
• Sugar

Raising Agents

Study:

• Steam
• Air
• Carbon dioxide

Batters

Know:

• Types
• Uses
• Dishes

Doughs

Study preparation methods and products.

Cakes

Study cake methods:

• Creaming
• Whisking
• Melting
• Rubbing-in
• Sponge method

Pastries

Study:

• Shortcrust
• Flaky
• Suet pastry

Learn:

• Principles
• Preparation
• Dishes

Yeast Mixtures

Study:

• Bread
• Doughnuts
• Rolls

Know:

• Preparation methods
• Important rules

Cake Decoration

Study:

• Royal icing
• Butter icing

Know:

• Preparation
• Uses
• Decoration techniques

8. Beverages

Study both:

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Examples:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Cocoa
• Fruit juice
• Milk drinks
• Egg drinks
• Beef tea
• Lemon grass drink

Alcoholic Beverages

Study:

• Beer
• Wine

Know their nutritional values.

9. Convenience Foods

Study:

• Types
• Selection
• Uses

Know:

• Advantages
• Disadvantages

Learn how to prepare meals using convenience foods.

10. Rechauffé (Leftover Foods)

Study:

• Meaning
• Importance
• Rules for using leftovers
• Rechauffé dishes

11. Festive and Special Occasion Dishes

Study:

• Meaning
• Occasions
• Types of dishes

Examples:

• Birthday meals
• Wedding dishes
• Naming ceremony dishes
• Festival foods

Learn their preparation.

12. Art of Entertaining

Entertainment

Study:

• Meaning
• Types of parties
• Occasions
• Success factors

Table Setting and Etiquette

Learn:

• Table setting
• Table appointments
• Tray setting
• Table manners

Meal Service Styles

Study:

• Formal service
• Informal service

Know factors affecting service style.

13. Experimental Cookery

Research

Study:

• Importance of research
• Data collection
• Local dishes
• Recipe development
• Recipe improvement

Experiments

Practical work involving:

• Local fruits
• Alternative flours
• New recipes

14. Consumer Education

Consumer Education

Study:

• Meaning
• Principles
• Consumer agents

Food Budgeting

Know:

• Meaning
• Importance
• Factors considered

Food Purchasing

Study:

• Shopping guidelines
• Bulk purchasing
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

15. Self-Employment

Catering Enterprise

Study:

• Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneur
• Enterprise

Know:

• Characteristics of successful entrepreneurs
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

Study how to establish and manage catering businesses.

Examples include:

• Restaurant
• Bakery
• Fast food outlet
• Outdoor catering
• Cake business

Work Ethics

Study:

• Meaning
• Good work habits
• Professional ethics

Food Packaging

Study:

• Meaning
• Reasons for packaging
• Types of packaging materials
• Qualities of good packaging materials

WAEC Food and Nutrition Practical Areas

Candidates should also develop practical skills in:

• Meal planning
• Table setting
• Kitchen hygiene
• Food preparation
• Cake making
• Pastry making
• Bread making
• Beverage preparation
• Cake decoration
• Safe use of kitchen equipment
• Food preservation
• Preparation of local dishes
• Preparation of special occasion meals
• Rechauffé dishes

Cover every topic thoroughly, practise the practical aspects consistently, and revise with past questions. Studying smart and staying consistent will greatly improve your chances of earning an excellent grade.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with other WAEC candidates so they can also prepare effectively. If you have any questions about the WAEC Food and Nutrition syllabus, feel free to ask them in the comments, and we'll be happy to help.