The U.S. Department of Agriculture modified the old food guide pyramid into what is now called MyPyramid. The chart serves as a guide for choosing healthful foods while also emphasizing physical activity. Lessons related to MyPyramid teach kids the basics of nutrition to encourage healthier eating. Establishing healthful eating habits at an early age makes children more likely to continue making nutritional food selections as an adult.
Meal Planning
The food pyramid divides food by type, offering an organized way to create meals. Provide an image of the food pyramid for the kids as a reference. The kids pick food that belongs in the different categories to build a healthful meal. Cutting out pictures and gluing them to a paper plate offers a creative presentation for the food meals. For a more involved lesson, have the kids plan an entire day or week worth of meals based on the food pyramid.
Food Sorting
A food sorting game helps the kids understand the categorization of food on the pyramid. The base of this game is a large outline of the food pyramid. Draw a triangle on a chalkboard or cut out a large triangle from poster board. You also need pictures of several different types of food from all of the categories on the pyramid. The kids take turns placing the food in the correct section of the pyramid.
Tracking Chart
A tracking sheet helps the kids apply the food pyramid to everyday life. Create a tracking sheet with each section of the pyramid and the recommended number of servings per day. The kids mark each food they eat in the corresponding column based on the food pyramid category. At the end of the week, review the charts to help the kids identify areas of the pyramid that they need to increase. For example, if a child only gets a few grains in each week, you can brainstorm grain foods he might add to his diet.
Taste Test
A taste test lets the kids try foods from different sections of the pyramid. Some kids may not get a lot of variety at home in different areas of the food pyramid. Choose two or three food items from each section of the pyramid, focusing on food that might be new to the kids, such as quinoa as a grain or mango from the fruit section. The young participants may discover new foods that they enjoy eating, allowing them to more easily reach their daily recommended servings. Check for food allergies before choosing the food for this taste test.
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