Lesson Plans

Lesson 1: Variety 

Eat a variety of foods.

• What are the health benefits of eating a variety of foods?

• What are the five different food groups?

• What foods are in each each group

• Plan a healthy meal that includes foods from all of the food groups

Lesson 2: Physical Activity

Move your body to stay healthy.

• Identify some types of physical activity

• Understand the benefits of physical activity for health

• Recognize the benefits of planning ahead for physical activity

• Recognize the importance of drinking water

Lesson 3: Food Safety

Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

• Recognize the role of germs in food safety

• Explain the key steps to keeping food safe

• Practice proper handwashing

• Strategize how to safely store different food

Lesson 4: Fruits and Vegetables

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

• Explain the health benefits of eating different fruits and vegetables

• Recognize foods in the fruits and vegetables groups.

• Strategize ways to eat more fruits and vegetables.

• Identify the different forms of fruit and vegetables.

• Know where to find seasonal fruits and vegetables

Lesson 5: Grains

Make half your grains whole. 

• Explain the health benefits of eating grains

• Recognize foods in the grains group

• Strategize ways to eat adequate whole grains

• Understand that there is brown or white rice, brown or white bread

• Understand the difference between a whole grain and a refined grain.

• Differentiate the MyPlate grains proportion from typical grains proportion

Lesson 6: Proteins

Eat lean protein from plants and animals.

• Explain health benefits of eating protein foods

• Recognize foods in the protein group

• Strategize ways to eat lean protein foods like beans

• Identify animal and plant sources of protein

• Explain the benefits of eating foods with iron

Lesson 7: Dairy

Eat a variety of foods with calcium.

• Explain ways to build strong bones and teeth

• Recognize foods in the dairy group

• Strategize ways to get enough calcium

• Identify dairy and non-dairy sources of calcium

• Explain the different fat levels in milk

Lesson 8: Beverages and Sugar

Drink less sugar, drink more water.

• Explain the health risks of drinking too much sugar

• Identify the amount of added sugar in beverages

• Strategize ways to drink more water and less sugary beverages

Advanced

• Identify serving sizes on beverage containers

Lesson 9: Healthy Cooking

Cook with less fat and salt.

• Explain the health risks of using too much salt

• Strategize two ways to use minimal salt in food

• Explain the health benefits of cooking with less fat

• Strategize two ways to cook that use minimal fat

Lesson 10: Shopping and Planning Meals

Save money by planning meals.

• Explain the benefits of meal planning

• Strategize ways to make meal planning easier

• Strategize ways to save money when grocery shopping 

Lesson 11: Feeding your Growing Child

Keep your children healthy with food that is appropriate for their ages.

• Recognize child’s eating cues at different ages

• Identify appropriate foods for different ages

• Recognize the dangers of giving children juice in their bottle or sippy cup

• Strategize ways to help children be healthy eaters