Objectives
- Identify examples of healthy foods to fuel the body and brain.
Lesson Plan
The lessons in this unit help kids to understand that food is fuel. Food is what you eat and drink to give your body energy to move and think. Rather than simply classifying foods as good or bad, encourage children to stop and think then choose the best fuel (foods that supply nutrition and energy, rather than empty calories). For more information on healthy eating, go to <a href="https://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="_blank">ChoseMyPlate.gov.</a>
Set The Stage
Ask several students to share where they hung up their How to Build a Meal poster at home. Ask for examples of healthy eating choices they made lately or compliment choices you observed. Ask students, “How is choosing healthy foods and beverages like filling up a car at the gas station?”
To use this with your students click here.
Captivate
Knowing the Difference Between Fruits and Vegetables
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Explain that tomatoes are fruits because they grow from flowers and contain seeds.What about green beans? Yes, they are also a fruit. So, are pumpkins, cucumbers, and any other food that grows from flowers!
Educate
Facts About Food as Fuel
Discuss the slideshow’s key messages:
- Food gives energy to and fuels the body.
- Eat three meals during the day; having 1–2 small healthy snacks is okay.
- Choose fuels to help you be your best: protein, whole grains, fruit and veggies.
Activate
Print the "Healthy Food Hunt" Home Activity
Download the Healthy Food Hunt activity and have students use it to find healthy foods at home.If they find healthy foods that are not pictured, they can write or draw them on the back of the page.
Close the Lesson
Over the next few days, read aloud books that celebrate healthy food and make connections to this lesson content. For example, Rainbow Stew by Cathryn Falwell tells the story of three siblings who harvest food from their grandfather’s garden and make a delicious vegetable soup. Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffman is a funny story about a tomato who wants a spot in the fruit bowl, and the book also includes lots of information about fruits vs. vegetables.
Grade: 3-5
Time: 20 Minutes
What You'll Need
Health Education Standards
- Standard 1: Core Concepts - Eat a variety of foods within each food group each day.
- Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication
- Standard 5: Decision-Making
Social and Emotional Learning Competencies
- Responsible Decision-Making