Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition: A Homeschool Health Curriculum Review

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If you have pre-teens or teens like I do, you’ve probably been thinking about how to have more intentional conversations with them—about mental health, nutrition, hygiene, sleep habits, and even deeper topics like emotional boundaries and spiritual well-being.

These are important areas of life, but they can also be tricky to navigate!

You may know what you want to teach your kids, but be unsure how to do it in a way that’s both clear and Christ-centered.

That’s why I was so intrigued when I came across Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition, 2nd Edition. My oldest son will be in 8th grade next year, so I’ve already started looking into high school courses.

I’m so thankful that Apologia partnered with me on this review and sent me both the textbook and student notebook to take a closer look—and now I’m excited to share it with you.

A Comprehensive Christian Health Curriculum ❤️‍🩹

I haven’t looked into any other health curriculum yet, but I’ll just say—this one sets the bar high. It’s incredibly comprehensive.

This isn’t just about nutrition and exercise (though it covers that too). It’s a holistic study of health—addressing physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual health.

It’s written in a conversational tone that speaks directly to students and encourages them to think critically, reflect on their choices, and build healthy, God-honoring habits.

How Apologia Handles Hot Topics 🔥

Let’s be honest—health can be a controversial subject depending on your worldview.

One of the things I appreciate most about this curriculum is how respectfully Apologia approaches these topics.

They present information from both medical and Biblical perspectives, but they don’t push a one-size-fits-all view.

Instead, they provide the science, tie it to Scripture, and leave room for thoughtful discussion between parent and child.

For example, in the section on vaccines, the curriculum explains what vaccines are, how they work, the risks and benefits, and why there’s so much debate surrounding them. The goal isn’t to tell students what to think—but to help them understand the issue and talk it through with their families.

The same is true for sensitive subjects like drug abuse, pornography, and sexual intimacy. These topics are presented factually but respectfully, with a strong emphasis on Biblical truth.

Students are taught about the beauty of sex within marriage, how to value others, and how to live with wisdom and integrity in a culture that often promotes the opposite.

Because of the mature content, Apologia recommends this course for mature students, and they encourage parents to preview the table of contents and sample pages to determine readiness.

Parents are also welcome to skip or adapt sections if needed—Apologia fully supports that.

Format, Materials, and Flexibility 📖

The course includes a textbook and a student notebook.

The student notebook contains daily schedules, study guides, tests, and project space—all of which are necessary if you’re using this for high school credit.

Apologia also offers an audiobook version and an Auto Grade+ option for online testing, though I personally don’t think the extra grading service is necessary since the tests are all multiple choice.

You’ll also need a few basic supplies for the physical fitness portions:

• A cushioned floor or exercise mat (not a thin yoga mat)
• Athletic shoes that fit properly
• A fitness ball suited to your child’s height
• Occasional internet access for research projects

This course is not a lab science, but it can fulfill the high school health requirement that many states have for graduation.

Apologia suggests using it alongside biology in 9th grade, but that’s not a requirement. You could complete the course in one semester (14 weeks) by covering a module per week or stretch it over a full year (28 weeks) by completing one module every two weeks.

A Peek Inside: Flip-Through Highlights 📽️

Take a look at the video below for my full flip-through of this course (both the textbook and student notebook).

There are 15 modules in this course. Each module includes reading, “On Your Own” questions, projects, a study guide, and a test (except for a few project-only modules).

The student notebook walks your child through note-taking and study skills, which I love—it’s teaching them how to learn, not just what to learn.

Here are just a few highlights from the modules:

• Module 3: Mental Health
  Talks about the importance of recognizing that feelings don’t dictate truth and provides helpful tips rooted in a Biblical perspective. The projects help students identify emotional triggers and healthy coping habits.
• Module 4: Interpersonal Harmony
  Covers gender roles, friendship, conflict resolution, and dating. The section on purity and wise relationships really resonated with me, especially as someone who’s grown in my understanding of marriage and relationships over time.
• Module 7 & 8: Macronutrients and Micronutrients
  Teaches students about carbs, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. One project involves a food diary and analyzing eating habits.
• Module 15: The Gift of Reproduction
  Fact-based and respectfully presented with clear diagrams and Biblical truth about sexuality, puberty, and human development. It’s one of those topics that’s challenging for many parents to bring up, but this course makes it easier.

Throughout the book, there are also sections on health-related careers, which is a nice touch for students starting to think about their future.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition isn’t just about checking off a requirement—it’s about equipping our kids to care for their bodies, minds, and souls in a God-honoring way. It opens the door to conversations we need to have with our teens but sometimes don’t know how to start.

I love how Apologia strikes a balance between being informative and respectful—teaching truth while still honoring the role of parents to guide their children.

If you have questions about the course or want to share your own experience using it, feel free to leave a comment—I’d love to hear from you! And if you’re interested in checking it out for your homeschool, browse the Apologia website and use the coupon code BLESSED10 to take 10% off your order.

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