Portion Talk Discussion Guidelines

Objective: Explore how portion sizes influence calorie intake and make connections between serving sizes and overall energy consumption.

Discussion Rules:
• Listen respectfully and build on each other’s ideas.
• Speak clearly and support your thoughts with examples from nutrition labels.
• Ask clarifying questions if you’re unsure about someone’s point.

1. What Do Serving Sizes Tell Us?

• Prompt: “Look at the serving size on your label. What surprised you about the amount listed?”
• Follow-up:
  • “Why do you think companies choose that serving size?”
  • “How might your perception of ‘one serving’ differ from the label?”

2. Multiple Servings and Calories

• Prompt: “If you eat two servings instead of one, how many calories do you consume? Explain your calculation.”
• Follow-up:
  • “How easy or hard is it to stop at one serving?”
  • “What strategies could help you keep track of servings when snacking?”

3. Favorite Snack Analysis

• Prompt: “Name your favorite snack. Guess the serving size and calories per serving.”
• Follow-up:
  • “How does your guess compare to the actual label?”
  • “Would you choose a different portion if you knew the calorie count?”

4. Balancing Calories and Satisfaction

• Prompt: “How could you adjust your snack to lower calories but keep it filling?”
• Follow-up:
  • “What foods could you add or remove?”
  • “How might portion size and food type impact your energy levels?”

Wrap-Up: Ask volunteers to share one new insight they gained about portions and calories. Encourage them to apply this understanding when choosing snacks later in the day.

Portion Plate Challenge

Objective:
Students will create a balanced snack plate, measure portions based on serving sizes, estimate total calories, and reflect on their choices.

Materials Needed:
• Paper plates
• Snack Food Samples (fruits, veggies, crackers, cheese, etc.)
• Nutrition Label Printouts
• Markers or colored pencils

Directions:

1. Plan Your Plate (1 minute)
   • Choose 3–4 different snack items.
   • Discuss with your group why you picked each item (taste, nutrition, fun).
2. Measure Portions (2 minutes)
   • Look at the nutrition labels and identify the Serving Size and Calories per Serving for each item.
   • Use paper plates to estimate how many servings of each food you’ll include.
3. Assemble & Label (3 minutes)
   • Draw sections on your plate using markers.
   • Place your snacks in each section.
   • Next to each section, write: food name, servings chosen, calories per serving, and total calories (servings × calories).
4. Calculate Total Calories (1 minute)
   • Add up all the calories from each section to get your plate’s total.
   • Write the total in the center of your plate.
5. Group Presentations (1 minute per group)
   • Share your plate with the class.
   • Explain how you balanced taste, nutrition, and calories.
   • Discuss one challenge you faced when choosing portions.

Reflection Questions (in your journals):

• What surprised you about the total calories on your plate?
  
  
  
• How balanced (fruits/veggies, protein, grains) was your snack? What would you add or remove next time?
  
  
  
• What strategies will you use to keep snack portions in check when you’re at home or a friend’s house?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Wrap-Up:
Choose one reflection question to share with the group. Discuss how this activity could help you make healthier snack choices.“}

My Plate Reflection Journal

Think about the snack plate you designed in Portion Plate Challenge and answer the following prompts:

1. What surprised you most about the total calories on your plate?

1. How balanced was your snack plate? Which food groups did you include, and what would you add or remove next time?

1. Describe how understanding serving sizes and calories might affect your snack choices at home or at a friend’s house.

1. List three strategies you will use to manage your snack portions and stay energized throughout the day.

1. Write a brief action plan: one change you will make to your snack habits this week and how you will remind yourself to follow through.