Food Group Quiz

Instructions: Complete the quiz below. You have 3 minutes to answer all questions. Be ready to share your answers!

1. List the Five Food Groups.
   
   
   
2. Match each food to its group (write the food group next to each item):
   • Apple: _______
     
     
   • Broccoli: _______
     
     
   • Bread: _______
     
     
   • Chicken: _______
     
     
   • Milk: _______
     
     
3. True or False: Protein foods help build and repair our muscles. _______
   
   
4. Short Answer: Name one benefit of eating fruits and vegetables.
   
   
   
5. Short Answer: Why is it important to include something from each food group in your meals?
   
   
   

Build Your Plate Workshop

Objective

Students will collaborate to design a balanced meal plate using all five food groups, reinforcing their understanding of how each group contributes to overall health and energy.

Materials

• Chart paper or large paper plates (one per group)
• Build Your Plate Workshop sorting cards (preprinted or digital)
• Markers or colored pencils
• Tape or glue sticks (if using paper)
• Example “blank plate” template (printed or projected)

Setup (2 minutes)

1. Arrange students into small groups of 3–4.
2. Distribute one chart paper or paper plate and a full set of sorting cards to each group.
3. Ensure markers and glue/tape are readily available at each station.

Instructions (15 minutes)

1. Review the Task (1 min): Remind groups that a balanced meal includes fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. Each group will assemble one full plate including every food group.
2. Sort the Cards (3 mins): Groups lay out all sorting cards face-up. Students work together to identify which food group each card belongs to.
3. Assemble the Plate (7 mins): Using the blank plate template, groups place or attach the cards onto their plate. Encourage them to:
   • Distribute sections of the plate proportionally (e.g., half vegetables and fruits, quarter grains, quarter protein, plus a small dairy side).
   • Write a short label next to each section explaining the group’s benefits (e.g., “Carrots give us vitamin A for healthy eyes”).
4. Prepare to Share (4 mins): Each group selects one spokesperson to present their plate to the class. They should explain:
   • Which items they chose for each group.
   • Why they placed them in those sections.
   • How this meal would power someone through a busy day.

Guiding Questions

• What nutrients does each food group provide?
• Why is it important not to skip any group in a meal?
• How do different food groups help our brain and muscles?

Classroom Share & Reflection (5 minutes)

1. Group Presentations: Each spokesperson shares their plate design and rationale.
2. Class Discussion: Highlight creative ideas and correct any misconceptions.
3. Reflection Prompt: On a sticky note or in your journal, answer:
   • “Which food on today’s workshop plate do you enjoy most, and how can you make sure it’s on your plate at home?”
     
     
     
     
     
     

When finished, collect plates or photos of plates for assessment of understanding and to display healthy meal examples.

My Daily Meal Tracker

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

1. Breakfast

What did you eat for breakfast?
______________________________________

Which food groups did you include? (Circle all that apply)
Fruits Vegetables Grains Protein Foods Dairy

How did this meal make you feel? (Energized, sleepy, hungry later, etc.)
______________________________________

2. Lunch

What did you eat for lunch?
______________________________________

Which food groups did you include? (Circle all that apply)
Fruits Vegetables Grains Protein Foods Dairy

How did this meal make you feel?
______________________________________

3. Snack

What did you eat for your snack?
______________________________________

Which food groups did you include? (Circle all that apply)
Fruits Vegetables Grains Protein Foods Dairy

How did this snack help you through the day?
______________________________________

4. Daily Balance Reflection

a) Which food group did you include the least today?
______________________________________

b) What is one change you will make tomorrow to have more balanced meals?
______________________________________

Great job tracking your meals! Be ready to share one thing you learned about how nutrition powers your day.

Reflection Bite

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

1. One thing I learned today about how nutrition powers my day:
   
   
   
2. One change I will make in my meals tomorrow to feel more energized:
   
   
   
3. How confident am I that I can include all five food groups in a meal? (Circle one)
   1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   

Thank you for sharing!