Why Food Is Fuel

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 classifying foods as good or bad, encourage children to stop and think, then choose the best fuel (i.e., foods that supply nutrition and energy, rather than empty calories).

You can extend a lesson with videos from the fit video series, What Food Does for Your Body. Each video highlights a food group or category, and serves as a great resource to introduce or review the benefits of eating a variety of foods. See the Extend the Lesson section of this page for a list of videos. 

For more information on healthy eating, go to ChoseMyPlate.gov.

Show students several toy vehicles or other machines. Ask, "What do some machines need to make them work?" Have students share what they know about how fuel, wind, batteries, and other energy sources make machines work.

To use this with your students click here.

You Are in Charge of Fueling Your Body

View the slideshow to take students on a space mission to help them understand that choosing the best fuel for their body is important. Just like rockets need the right fuel, so do our bodies.

Help Kids Understand Nutritious Fuel

Explain the following key points from the slideshow:

• Nutritious foods are the best fuel for powering the body and brain.
• MyPlate serves as a guide to understanding nutritious foods and portion sizes.
• Don’t forget about water! It’s nutritious fuel, too.

Check for understanding: What nutritious foods do you fuel up with?

Print This "How to Build a Meal" Poster for Kids to Take Home

Challenge students to think of their bodies as rockets. What fuel will they choose for their next meal? Download the How to Build a Meal poster for students to post at home.

Ask students to share an idea for a nutritious food or drink to have for an upcoming meal or snack. Ask them to share where they will hang the How to Build a Meal poster at home. When students eat snacks and meals at school, remind them to “fuel up” for what’s next on the schedule. Compliment them on their nutritious choices and share how those choices lead to energetic thinking and movement during the day!