Quick Food Swipe Poll Warm-Up

Duration: 5 minutes

Launch a rapid, interactive poll where students reflect on their recent food choices. Use your preferred polling platform (Mentimeter, Poll Everywhere, Kahoot, etc.) to pose the following questions, display live results, and spark a brief discussion.

1. Poll Questions:

   1. Main Component of Your Last Meal:
      • Carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits)
      • Protein (lean meat, beans)
      • Fats (nuts, oils)
      • Empty Calories (sweets, chips)
      • Skipped/Don’t Remember
   2. Type of Snack You Last Chose (if any):
      • Fruit or Vegetables
      • Dairy (yogurt, cheese)
      • Protein Snack (nuts, jerky)
      • Processed Snack (chips, candy)
      • No Snack

2. Discussion Prompts (1–2 minutes):

   • Which option was most popular? Least popular?
   • What surprises you about classmates’ choices?
   • How do these choices relate to energy levels throughout the day?

Use this quick snapshot to segue into deeper nutrition concepts in the Eating for Energy Slides.

MyPlate Meal Design Activity

Duration: 15 minutes

Objective: Apply MyPlate principles to create a visually balanced, nutrient-rich meal that supports sustained energy.

Materials:

• Blank MyPlate template (printed or digital)
• Colored pencils, markers, or digital design tools
• Scissors and magazines for collage (optional)

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

• Display the MyPlate model and briefly review the five food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, Dairy.
• Emphasize portion sizes: half plate veggies/fruits, quarter grains, quarter protein, plus dairy on the side.

2. Design Your Plate (10 minutes)

• Distribute a blank MyPlate template to each student.
• Instruct students to draw or create a collage filling each section with foods they enjoy, ensuring:
  • Color variety: at least three different colors in fruits/veggies
  • Whole grains: e.g., brown rice, whole-wheat bread
  • Lean proteins: e.g., chicken, beans, tofu
  • Low-fat dairy: e.g., yogurt, milk
  • Portion labels: note serving sizes (1 cup, ½ cup, 3 oz)
• Circulate and ask guiding questions:
  • Why did you choose these items?
  • How does each food support your energy needs?

3. Share & Reflect (3 minutes)

• Pair-share: students show their plates and offer feedback:
  • Does the meal look balanced?
  • What could be added or adjusted for more nutrients?
• Whole-class discussion prompts:
  • Which plate was most colorful? Why is variety important?
  • How will this meal help maintain energy through a busy school day?

Follow-Up Questions

• How might you adjust your plate for a post-workout meal?
• What healthy snack could you add between meals to keep energy levels steady?

Nutrition Label Detective Worksheet

Instructions:
Bring a packaged food item (or use a provided food label image). Carefully examine the Nutrition Facts and ingredient list. Complete each section below.

Part 1: Nutrition Facts Analysis

Part 2: Hidden Sugars Detective

Below are some common names for added sugars. Scan your ingredient list and write any you find.

Part 3: Label Comparison

Choose two packaged snacks (e.g., two granola bars, two cereals, two beverages). Record their names and compare:

Snack 1: ____________________________________
Snack 2: ____________________________________

a) Which snack has more total sugar?

b) Which snack has more dietary fiber?

c) Based on your comparison, which snack would you choose and why?

Part 4: Reflection Questions

1. What surprised you the most about the nutrition labels you examined?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How will you use nutrition labels to make healthier food choices in the future?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cherry on Top Reflection

Duration: 5 minutes

1. What is one key thing you learned today about how food fuels your body?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Set a personal goal for your next meal—how will you make it more balanced or energizing?