Building a Plate
Name the five food groups
Fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy.
Rice, oats, and fruit contain this nutrient that provides energy. What is it?
Carbohydrate
What everyday drink helps you stay hydrated without added sugar?
Water
What part of a package shows amounts of nutrients such as sodium and added sugars?
The nutrition label.
Does moderation mean you can never eat your favorite dessert? Explain.
No. Favorite foods can fit into a varied eating pattern.
Which two food groups together fill about half of a MyPlate-style plate?
Fruits and vegetables
Which nutrient helps your body grow and repair itself?
Protein
Name two situations when your body may need extra fluids.
Examples: active play and hot weather.
Sodium is a nutrient found in salt. Name one packaged food that can contain a lot of sodium.
Examples: ramen/instant noodles, chips, or canned soups.
What is the difference between a portion and a label’s serving size?
A portion is the amount you choose to eat. A serving size is the amount used for the label’s nutrition information.
Rice, chicken, and water are on a lunch tray. Name two foods you could add for more variety.
For example: broccoli and an orange.
(A fruit & vegetable)
A calorie measures what in food?
Energy
After a regular PE class, you are thirsty and lunch is soon. What is a practical drink choice, and why?
Water helps replace fluids lost through sweat.
A granola bar package says “made with whole grains.” Does that claim alone prove it’s a high-fiber snack? What should you check to investigate?
No. Check the Nutrition Facts label for grams of dietary fiber per serving. “Made with whole grains” doesn’t tell you how much fiber the snack contains.
You finish a snack and still feel hungry. What could you do?
Check in with your hunger and eat more if you need it. You could add another available food.
Why would eating only your favorite food at every meal make it harder to meet your body’s needs?
Different foods provide different nutrients. Variety helps meet more of your body’s needs.
Match the jobs: fiber and calcium. Which supports digestion? Which supports bones?
Fiber supports digestion.
Calcium supports bones.
Someone says, “I only need to drink fluids at dinner.” Suggest a better plan.
Drink throughout the day, including with meals and around active play.
Name one food that often contains added sugar and one that often contains saturated fat.
Added sugar: regular soda or candy.
Saturated fat: butter or fatty meat.
You’re eating popcorn while watching a movie. You notice you feel comfortably full, but there’s still popcorn left. What could you do to practice moderation?
Pause eating and save the rest for later because you feel satisfied.
Lunch is a ham and cheese wrap, an apple, carrots, and water. Identify all five food groups.
Grains: tortilla (wrap)
Protein: ham
Dairy: cheese
Fruit: apple
Vegetable: carrots
Two classmates eat different amounts at lunch. Give two reasons why both could be getting what they need.
Their hunger, growth, body size, or activity levels may differ.
Your class is going outside on a warm day. Make a hydration plan with two actions.
Bring or refill a water bottle. Take water breaks during and after activity.
A package says “made with whole grains.” Why might you still check the Nutrition Facts label?
The claim does not tell the whole story or all of the ingredients.
This label actually has added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat.
Jordan eats cake at a birthday party and decides to skip dinner to “make up for it.” Explain why this isn’t a balanced approach and suggest a better choice.
Cake can fit into a balanced eating pattern, so Jordan doesn’t need to skip dinner to make up for it. Jordan can eat dinner when hungry and include a variety of foods that provide needed nutrients.