Lesson Plan
Fuel Up Lesson Plan
Students will explore basic nutrition by categorizing foods into groups, analyzing real nutrition labels, and creating balanced meal plans to understand how food fuels their bodies.
This lesson builds foundational knowledge of nutrition, encouraging healthier food choices, boosting energy levels, and fostering lifelong wellness habits in 6th graders.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, label analysis, and meal-planning activities
Materials
Whiteboard and Markers, Chart Paper, Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt Handout, and Balanced Meal Planning Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print sufficient copies of Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt Handout and Balanced Meal Planning Worksheet
- Gather whiteboard, markers, and chart paper
- Review core nutrition concepts and familiarize yourself with the five food groups
Step 1
Introduction to Nutrition
5 minutes
- Ask students to share what they had for breakfast and energy levels throughout the day
- Define nutrition and discuss why it’s important for growth and energy
- Record key definitions and ideas on the whiteboard
Step 2
Food Group Exploration
8 minutes
- On chart paper, list the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy
- Invite students to call out food items and categorize them under each group
- Discuss the role of each food group in fueling the body
Step 3
Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt
7 minutes
- Distribute Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt Handout
- In pairs, have students examine sample labels and answer questions about serving size, calories, sugar, protein, etc.
- Ask a few pairs to share one interesting fact they discovered
Step 4
Balanced Meal Planning Activity
8 minutes
- Provide each student with a Balanced Meal Planning Worksheet
- Instruct students to design a breakfast, lunch, or dinner using all five food groups
- Encourage them to note approximate calories and key nutrients
- Circulate to offer feedback and support
Step 5
Conclusion and Reflection
2 minutes
- Recap the importance of balanced nutrition and label-reading skills
- Ask students to write one change they can make in their meals based on today’s lesson
- Collect exit tickets and thank students for their participation
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Fuel Up! Nutrition Quest
How food fuels our bodies
A 30-minute exploration of basic nutrition for 6th graders.
Welcome everyone! Today we’re kicking off our adventure called “Fuel Up! Nutrition Quest.” Explain that our bodies run on the food we eat, just like cars run on fuel. Tell students that by the end of class they’ll be able to plan balanced meals and read nutrition labels like pros.
What is Nutrition?
• Nutrition is how our bodies use food for energy, growth, and repair.
• Good nutrition helps us think clearly, play actively, and stay healthy.
Ask: “What did you eat for breakfast today? How did it make you feel?” Jot their ideas on the board. Then define “nutrition” and emphasize why it matters for growth, energy, and health.
The 5 Food Groups
- Fruits – Vitamins & fiber
- Vegetables – Vitamins & minerals
- Grains – Energy & carbohydrates
- Protein – Muscle growth & repair
- Dairy – Calcium & bone health
Introduce the five food groups. As you name each one, invite volunteers to list foods that belong there. Write their answers on chart paper or the board.
Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt
• Pair up and grab your Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt Handout.
• Find: serving size, calories, sugar grams, protein grams.
• Share one interesting fact with the class.
Explain the scavenger hunt rules. Students work in pairs to examine labels on the handout and answer questions about calories, sugar, and protein. Circulate to support and clarify label terms.
Balanced Meal Planning
• Use the Balanced Meal Planning Worksheet.
• Design a breakfast, lunch, or dinner with all five food groups.
• Estimate calories and key nutrients.
Distribute worksheets and encourage creativity. Remind students to include all five food groups and note approximate calories or nutrients. Provide examples if needed.
Conclusion & Reflection
• Why balanced meals matter.
• How to read nutrition labels.
• Exit ticket: One change I will make in my next meal is…
Summarize the day’s key takeaways. Ask students to write one change they’ll make in their meals based on what they learned. Collect their exit tickets.
Worksheet
Nutrition Label Scavenger Hunt Handout
In pairs, examine each sample nutrition label below and answer the questions. Write your answers on the lines provided.
Label A: Orange Juice
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 cup (240 mL) |
| Servings Per Container | 2 |
| Calories | 110 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 26g |
| • Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 2g |
Questions for Label A
- What is the serving size?
__________________________________ - How many servings are in the container?
__________________________________ - How many calories are in one serving?
__________________________________ - How many grams of sugar are in one serving?
__________________________________ - How many grams of protein are in one serving?
__________________________________ - If you drank the entire container, how many total calories would you consume?
__________________________________
Label B: Chocolate Chip Granola Bar
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 bar (40g) |
| Servings Per Package | 1 |
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| • Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 95mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28g |
| • Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 3g |
Questions for Label B
- What is the serving size?
__________________________________ - How many servings are in the package?
__________________________________ - How many calories are in the granola bar?
__________________________________ - How many grams of saturated fat are in one bar?
__________________________________ - How many grams of sugars are in one bar?
__________________________________ - If you ate two bars, how many grams of sugar would you consume?
__________________________________
Compare & Reflect
- Which item (Label A or Label B) has more sugar per serving? Explain how you determined this.
__________________________________ - Based on these labels, which snack or drink would you choose for a quick energy boost and why?
__________________________________
Worksheet
Balanced Meal Planning Worksheet
Use this worksheet to design a balanced meal that includes all five food groups. Choose one meal type and complete each section.
1. Meal Type
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner (circle one): _______________________
2. Food Group Planning
For each food group, write one food item you will include and its estimated calories.
Fruits: ________________________ (_____ cal)
Vegetables: _____________________ (_____ cal)
Grains: _________________________ (_____ cal)
Protein: ________________________ (_____ cal)
Dairy: __________________________ (_____ cal)
3. Sketch or Describe Your Meal
Use the space below to draw your meal on a plate or write a detailed description of what it looks like and how you arranged the food groups.
4. Nutrition Summary
- Total Estimated Calories for Your Meal: ___________________ cal
- Two Key Nutrients (such as protein, fiber, calcium) and their sources in your meal:
- Nutrient 1: ________________ from _______________________
- Nutrient 2: ________________ from _______________________
5. Reflection
- Why is it important to include all five food groups in a meal?
- One healthy change I can make in my next meal based on what I learned is:
Cool Down
Nutrition Exit Ticket
Name: _____________________ Date: _______________
- What is one new thing you learned today about balanced meals or reading nutrition labels?
- What is one healthy change you will make in your next meal based on what you learned? Explain why this change will help fuel your body.
- How will balanced nutrition help you stay energized and healthy throughout the day?