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Nutrition Introduction

Food Groups

Food Advertising & Media Literacy

Food Productions & Sustainability

Healthy Eating Plate

Allergies & Dietary Restrictions

Portion Control & MindfulEating

Food Labels

SecondARY LESSON PLANS

Understanding Food Groups and Balanced Nutrition

Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
  • Identify and define the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy.
  • Analyze examples of foods within each group.
  • Discuss the importance of incorporating a variety of foods from all groups into their diet for balanced nutrition.

Materials

  • Projector and screen for multimedia presentations.
  • Whiteboard and markers.
  • Handouts with descriptions and examples of foods from each food group.
  • Laptops or tablets for online research (optional).

Main Activities

Duration: 60 minutes

Introduction

(10 minutes)

  • Start the lesson by discussing the idea that the foods we eat can be categorized into different groups.
  • Ask students what they know about these food groups and whether they think it’s important to eat foods from each group.

Activity 1 – Introduction to Food Groups

(15 minutes)

1. Present the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy.
2. Provide a brief definition and explanation of each group.
3. Share examples of foods from each group using visuals or slides.

Activity 2 – Analyzing Food Choices

(20 minutes)

1. Distribute handouts with descriptions and examples of foods from each food group.
2. Ask students to work in pairs or small groups and classify the provided food items into their respective groups.
3. Discuss and compare group classifications as a class, making sure that students understand why certain foods belong to specific groups.

Activity 3 – Importance of Variety?

(20 minutes)

1. Engage students in a discussion about the importance of including a variety of foods from all the food groups in their diet.
2. Highlight the benefits of a balanced diet, such as meeting nutrient requirements and maintaining overall health.
3. Encourage students to think about their own eating habits and discuss any challenges they face in incorporating a variety of foods.

Wrap-up and Discussion.

(10 minutes)

Summarize the key points of the lesson:

  • What are the five food groups? Why is it important to include a variety of foods from all groups in your diet?
  • Encourage students to set a personal goal for improving their dietary choices based on what they’ve learned.

Homework

Assign students to keep a food diary for a few days, recording everything they eat and drink. Ask them to categorize each item into the appropriate food group. This will help them apply what they’ve learned and reflect on their eating patterns.

Assessment

Assess students’ comprehension through their participation in class discussions and group activities. Review their food diaries (if assigned) to gauge their ability to categorize foods into the correct food groups and understand the importance of variety.