Lesson
Teach kids to plan a healthy meal, using the MyPlate printable and Food Chart.
Introduce students to the idea that food is fuel for their bodies. “Food” refers to both what you eat and what you drink. The lessons in this unit use a stoplight as a tool to help students think about their food choices. Green-light foods are to be eaten more often than yellow-light or red-light foods:
It's important that kids understand that foods are not good or bad; however, there are foods that you want to eat more often for good health. For more information and about the nutritional benefits of foods and different food groups, read Food is Fuel.
Ask kids to turn and talk to a partner about their favorite meal. What is it that makes it a favorite?
To use this with your students click here.
Think About Healthy Meal Options
Students view the slideshow examples of mealtime choices:
Learn About Healthy Eating Options
Present tips for healthy food choices:
Check for understanding: Which foods will you choose to put on your plate for your next meal?
Plan Healthy Meals
Students document which foods they will choose to put on their plate at mealtime using the MyPlate Meal and the Eat More, Eat Some, Eat Less Food Chart printables.
Today we discussed healthy mealtime options and how to make healthy choices. What will you tell others about healthy mealtime choices?
Grade: K-2
Time: 20 Minutes
This chart shows different food options for each category. Kids are encouraged to eat green-light foods most often.
Get PrintableOur lessons and resources can be used from home, anytime through the year-here's how!
Get PrintableReplay the stoplight game. This time, rather than a color, a food choice is given. Kids respond with green, yellow, or red actions.
Start SlideshowKids classify snack choices as green-light, yellow-light, or red-light foods.
Start SlideshowJust like roads have signs, so does your food. Learn about reading food labels with this slideshow!
Start SlideshowRead a story about two characters. One takes the time to do a fit-check and the other does not. See the differences in their outcomes.
Start Slideshow