Lesson Plan
Fuel Your Future!
Students will be able to identify the major food groups, describe the nutritional benefits of each, and understand how to create a balanced diet for overall health.
Understanding nutrition empowers students to make informed food choices, leading to improved physical and mental health, sustained energy levels, and long-term well-being.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, slide presentation, group activity, and individual reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Nutrition Navigator Slide Deck, Food Group Feast Worksheet, and My Healthy Plate Journal
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Fuel Your Future! Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for the Nutrition Navigator Slide Deck.
- Print copies of the Food Group Feast Worksheet (one per student).
- Print copies of the My Healthy Plate Journal (one per student).
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's on Your Plate?
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick poll or show of hands: "What did you eat for breakfast today? Or what's your favorite meal?"
- Ask students to briefly think about how 'healthy' their chosen meal is and why.
- Introduce the day's lesson: "Today, we're going to become nutrition navigators and explore how the food we eat fuels our future!"
Step 2
Introduction to Food Groups
15 minutes
- Display the Nutrition Navigator Slide Deck (slides 1-3).
- Introduce the concept of food groups and why they are important for a balanced diet.
- Go through each major food group (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, Dairy) using the slide deck, discussing key nutrients and benefits of each.
- Encourage student participation by asking for examples of foods within each group.
Step 3
Food Group Feast Activity
20 minutes
- Distribute the Food Group Feast Worksheet.
- Explain the activity: Students will work in small groups (2-3 students) to categorize various food items into the correct food groups and identify their benefits.
- Circulate among groups, providing support and answering questions.
- After 15 minutes, bring the class back together for a quick review of the worksheet using the Food Group Feast Answer Key. Discuss any common misconceptions.
Step 4
Making Healthy Choices Discussion
10 minutes
- Display Nutrition Navigator Slide Deck (slides 4-5).
- Lead a class discussion on how to make balanced meal choices based on the food groups.
- Discuss portion sizes and the importance of variety.
- Ask students to share challenges they face in making healthy food choices and brainstorm solutions together.
Step 5
Cool-Down: My Healthy Plate Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the My Healthy Plate Journal.
- Ask students to reflect on what they learned and plan one small change they can make to their diet this week.
- Students can draw or write about their
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Fuel Your Future! Become a Nutrition Navigator
What did you eat for breakfast today? Or what's your favorite meal?
How 'healthy' was it? Why?
Today: We'll explore how food fuels our bodies and minds!
Welcome students and briefly introduce the topic of nutrition and its importance. Ask the warm-up questions.
Why Do Food Groups Matter?
Think of food as fuel!
Different types of fuel do different jobs for your body.
Food groups help us categorize foods by the nutrients they provide.
Eating a variety from all groups ensures you get all the nutrients you need to:
- Grow and repair
- Have energy
- Stay healthy and strong
Introduce the concept of food groups. Explain that a balanced diet includes foods from all groups.
Fruit: Nature's Sweet Treats
What are fruits?
Sweet, edible parts of a plant that contain seeds (sometimes tiny ones!)
Why eat them?
- Packed with vitamins (like Vitamin C!)
- Fiber for good digestion
- Natural sugars for quick energy
Examples:
Apples, bananas, oranges, berries, grapes, watermelon
Introduce the fruit group. Emphasize natural sugars and vitamins. Ask for student examples.
Vegetables: The Powerhouse Plants
What are vegetables?
Edible parts of plants (roots, stems, leaves, flowers) - usually savory.
Why eat them?
- Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Help keep your immune system strong
- Low in calories, high in nutrients
Examples:
Broccoli, spinach, carrots, bell peppers, lettuce, corn
Introduce the vegetable group. Highlight vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Emphasize variety in color. Ask for student examples.
Grains: Your Energy Boosters
What are grains?
Seeds of grasses like wheat, rice, and oats.
Why eat them?
- Main source of energy (carbohydrates)
- Fiber (especially whole grains) for heart health and digestion
- B vitamins for energy production
Whole Grains vs. Refined Grains:
- Whole Grains: Brown rice, whole wheat bread, oats (have all parts of the grain)
- Refined Grains: White rice, white bread (milled to remove bran and germ)
Introduce the grains group. Distinguish between whole and refined grains. Focus on complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Ask for student examples.
Protein: Building Blocks of Your Body
What is protein?
Macronutrient essential for building and repairing tissues, making enzymes and hormones.
Why eat it?
- Builds and repairs muscles, skin, hair
- Helps you feel full longer
- Supports immune function
Examples:
Chicken, fish, beans, lentils, nuts, eggs, tofu
Introduce the protein group. Explain its role in building and repairing tissues. Ask for student examples of plant-based and animal-based proteins.
Dairy: For Strong Bones!
What is dairy?
Foods made from milk.
Why eat it?
- Excellent source of calcium for strong bones and teeth
- Vitamin D for calcium absorption
- Protein
Examples:
Milk, yogurt, cheese
Alternatives:
Fortified plant-based milks (almond, soy, oat), leafy greens
Introduce the dairy group. Focus on calcium for strong bones and teeth. Discuss alternatives for those who are lactose intolerant. Ask for student examples.
Bringing It All Together: Making Healthy Choices
You've learned about the awesome power of each food group!
Now, how do we make sure our plate is balanced?
Think COLOR, VARIETY, and BALANCE!
- Balance: Include foods from most food groups in your meals.
- Variety: Don't eat the same thing every day! Try different fruits, veggies, and proteins.
- Moderation: Enjoy all foods, but pay attention to portion sizes.
Transition to discussing healthy choices. Emphasize balance and moderation. Review the importance of eating from all groups.
Your Nutrition Journey Continues!
You are now a certified Nutrition Navigator!
Making healthy food choices is a journey, not a destination.
Every meal is a chance to fuel your amazing body and mind for the future!
What's one small change you can make this week to 'Fuel Your Future' better?
Conclude with a summary and connect it back to the warm-up, encouraging students to apply their new knowledge.
Worksheet
Food Group Feast Challenge!
Instructions: For each food item below, identify which food group it belongs to and explain one key benefit your body gets from eating it. If you think a food item belongs to more than one group, pick the primary one!
Food Item 1: Broccoli
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 2: Chicken Breast
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 3: Apple
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 4: Brown Rice
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 5: Yogurt
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 6: Lentils
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 7: Spinach
Food Group:
Benefit:
Food Item 8: Whole Wheat Bread
Food Group:
Benefit:
Challenge Question: Imagine you are planning a healthy school lunch. What three food items would you include from different food groups to make it balanced, and what benefit would each provide?
Item 1 & Benefit:
Item 2 & Benefit:
Item 3 & Benefit:
Answer Key
Food Group Feast Answer Key
Food Item 1: Broccoli
Food Group: Vegetables
Benefit: Packed with vitamins (like Vitamin C and K), minerals, and fiber, which are great for your immune system and overall health.
Food Item 2: Chicken Breast
Food Group: Protein
Benefit: Excellent source of protein, essential for building and repairing muscles, and helps you feel full and satisfied.
Food Item 3: Apple
Food Group: Fruits
Benefit: Rich in fiber and vitamins (like Vitamin C), providing natural energy and supporting good digestion.
Food Item 4: Brown Rice
Food Group: Grains
Benefit: A whole grain that provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, and contains fiber for digestive health.
Food Item 5: Yogurt
Food Group: Dairy
Benefit: Great source of calcium for strong bones and teeth, and often contains probiotics for gut health.
Food Item 6: Lentils
Food Group: Protein (can also be considered a vegetable/legume, but primarily protein)
Benefit: High in plant-based protein and fiber, good for muscle repair and stable energy levels.
Food Item 7: Spinach
Food Group: Vegetables
Benefit: Loaded with iron, Vitamin K, and other essential nutrients that support blood health and bone strength.
Food Item 8: Whole Wheat Bread
Food Group: Grains
Benefit: Provides sustained energy from complex carbohydrates and is a good source of fiber, important for heart health and digestion.
Challenge Question: Imagine you are planning a healthy school lunch. What three food items would you include from different food groups to make it balanced, and what benefit would each provide?
(Answers will vary, but should demonstrate understanding of food groups and benefits. Example below:)
Item 1 & Benefit: Grilled Chicken Salad (Protein & Vegetables) - Provides protein for muscle growth and vitamins/fiber from the vegetables for immunity.
Item 2 & Benefit: Apple Slices (Fruit) - Offers natural sugars for quick energy and fiber for digestion.
Item 3 & Benefit: Whole Wheat Crackers (Grains) - Delivers complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and additional fiber.
Journal
My Healthy Plate Journal: Fuel Your Future Reflection
Part 1: Reflect on Your Learning
-
Before today's lesson, what was one thing you thought you knew about healthy eating that changed or became clearer to you today?
-
Out of the five main food groups (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, Dairy), which one do you think you eat enough of? Which one do you think you might need to include more of in your diet? Why?
-
Why is it important to eat a variety of foods from all the food groups, rather than just sticking to your favorites? How does this help your body?
Part 2: Plan Your Future Fuel
- Based on what you've learned today, what is ONE small, realistic change you can make to your diet this week to