Recent curriculum changes in Scotland and England have provided teachers and children with an exciting opportunity. The focus is shifting from a content-led curriculum to one that has a greater emphasis on skills and personal capability. In Scotland this is particularly evident with the emphasis on the development of children as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Well-planned cross-curricular projects can provide an excellent way to achieve these aims. There are many possible starting points for cross-curricular projects, including using the media. Exploring issues that are raised in the media is an ideal way to make links between science and other curriculum subjects. Diet and nutrition is a hot topic for the media and it also has a major impact on children's lives. The media can inform and educate the public on a range of important aspects of diet and nutrition. In this article, the authors focus on wartime rationing to educate and support children in making sense of the vast number of messages on healthy eating provided by the media. (Contains 3 figures.)