Build-a-Balanced-Plate Activity

Objective: Students will categorize foods into the five food groups and assemble a visually balanced meal using cut-and-paste food cards on a plate template. They will explain their choices to reinforce understanding of portion sizes and nutrition.

Materials:

• Blank plate templates (1 per student)
• Assorted food picture cards representing fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy
• Scissors (1 per student)
• Glue sticks (1 per student)
• Crayons or colored pencils (for labeling)

Instructions:

1. Distribute Materials (2 minutes)
   • Give each student a plate template, a set of food cards, scissors, glue, and coloring tools.
2. Sort & Select Foods (3 minutes)
   • Ask students to sort the food cards into the five groups on their desks: Fruits, Vegetables, Proteins, Grains, Dairy.
   • Prompt: “Which foods will you choose to fill each section of your plate?”
3. Cut & Paste (8 minutes)
   • Students cut out their selected food cards.
   • On the blank plate template, glue:
     • Half the plate with fruits & vegetables (aim for a 50/50 split of those two groups)
     • One quarter of the plate with proteins
     • One quarter of the plate with grains
     • A small milk-glass shape or circle off to the side for dairy
4. Label & Explain (5 minutes)
   • Have students write the food group name next to each section (e.g., “Vegetables”).
   • Below their plate, they write one sentence explaining why they chose each group portion:
     "I put _____ here because _____ ."
5. Partner Share & Discussion (5 minutes)
   • Pair students to show their completed plates and read their explanations aloud.
   • Ask partners to give one positive comment or ask one question about their classmate’s choices.
6. Whole-Class Wrap-Up (2 minutes)
   • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their plates and reasoning with the class.
   • Reinforce key takeaways: “Half fruits & vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy all matter for a balanced meal.”

My Food Journal Worksheet

Think back to everything you ate yesterday. Fill in the table below with your meals and the food groups each food belongs to.

1. Which food group did you eat the most yesterday? Why did you eat so much of that group?

1. Which food group did you eat the least or not at all? Why do you think that happened?

1. What is one change you can make today to have a more balanced set of meals?

1. Think about how you ate your meals yesterday. How fast did you eat? How did your body feel while you were eating?

1. Write one mindful eating tip you will practice today (for example: “I will eat without distractions” or “I will take 5 deep breaths before each bite”).

Color Your Meal Reflection Activity

Objective: Reflect on balanced meals and practice mindful eating through coloring.

Materials:

• Coloring sheet showing a blank plate with simple food outlines for each food group
• Crayons or colored pencils

Instructions:

1. Distribute the coloring sheet to each student.
2. Ask students to color each food item on the plate, choosing a specific color for each food group (e.g., red for fruits, green for vegetables).
3. Below the plate, have students write one mindful eating tip they will practice today (e.g., “I will take three deep breaths before each bite”).
4. (Optional) Invite volunteers to share their tip with a partner or the whole class.

Reflection space: