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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

Healthy Eating Plate: Building a Balanced Diet

Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Understand the principles of a balanced diet using the Healthy Eating Plate
  • Identify the recommended proportions of different food groups on the Healthy Eating Plate
  • Apply the Healthy Eating Plate concept to plan a balanced meal

Materials

  • Projector and screen for multimedia presentations

  • Whiteboard and markers

  • Handouts or slides depicting the Healthy Eating Plate

  • Laptops or tablets for online research (optional)

Main Activities

Duration: 60 minutes

Main Activities

Duration: 60 minutes

Introduction

(10 minutes)

Introduction

(10 minutes)

  • Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of a balanced diet and why it is essential for health.
  • Introduce the Healthy Eating Plate as a practical tool for creating balanced meals.

Activity 1 – Understanding the Healthy Eating Plate

(15 minutes)

Activity 1 – Understanding the Healthy Eating Plate

(15 minutes)

1. Present the Healthy Eating Plate through visuals or slides.
2. Explain the different sections of the plate: half the plate for fruits and vegetables, a quarter for grains, a quarter for protein, and a side of dairy.
3. Discuss the rationale behind these proportions and how they contribute to a balanced diet.

Activity 2 – Analyzing Meals

(20 minutes)

Activity 2 – Analyzing Meals

(20 minutes)

1. Show images of various meals or menus from restaurants and ask students to evaluate them based on the Healthy Eating Plate guidelines.
2. Discuss the findings as a class, highlighting the balance or imbalance in each meal.

Activity 3 – Planning a Balanced Meal

(20 minutes)

Activity 3 – Planning a Balanced Meal

(20 minutes)

1. Divide students into small groups.
2. Provide each group with a hypothetical scenario (e.g., planning a meal for an athlete, a vegetarian, or someone with dietary restrictions).
3. Instruct them to create a balanced meal using the Healthy Eating Plate principles.
4. Groups present their meal plans to the class, explaining their choices.

Wrap-up and Discussion

(5 minutes)

Wrap-up and Discussion

 

(5 minutes)

Review the main points of the lesson:
– Summarize the key points of the lesson: What is the Healthy Eating Plate, and how can it help us create balanced meals?
– Discuss the importance of eating a variety of foods for good health.

Homework

Assign students to analyze their own meals at home and assess how closely they align with the Healthy Eating Plate guidelines. They can reflect on areas where they can improve their dietary choices.

Assessment

Assess students’ comprehension through their participation in class discussions, the accuracy of their meal planning, and their ability to analyze meals using the Healthy Eating Plate criteria.