January Tip of the Month
Discover Smart Servings!

Smart serving sizes plus a VARIETY of foods from each of the MyPyramid food groups, helps create healthy balance.
Activity Idea: Balancing Lunch

  
Source: Healthy Kids Challenge, Food Museum booklet
Description: Kids discuss and write about enjoyable, balanced lunches!
Grades: 4-5

Supplies:

 

• MyPyramid for Kids Poster (http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html)
• Writing paper and pencils
Cafeteria mural shows food variety and balanced meals at Bethesda Elementary, CIGNA Showcase School.

Directions:
1. In a classroom or group setting, ask kids to write down what they ate and drank for lunch the last 2 days.
2.  Display the MyPyramid for Kids Poster and ask which food groups are not represented in their food records. If any of the MyPyramid food groups are not represented, ask what could be added to make it more balanced.
3.  Discuss how, with healthy balance of choices, all foods fit.
4. Talk about how meals are a way we socialize with others. Especially at holidays, foods are a part of our traditions. (Talk about different food traditions at holidays.) In our “hurry-up” world and eating in front of the TV, computer, or video game, we lose sight of the social value of mealtime.
5. Talk about how all of these things make a meal something we enjoy! Discuss how balance also means healthy choices in a way that we ENJOY food. Make meals enjoyable by being creative with a variety of healthy foods and colors.
6. Ask kids to write a 1-2 paragraph description of what they enjoy most about lunch and how they could improve the “balance” of their lunch choices.


This activity is found on page 40 of the Food Museum booklet. For more activity ideas like the one above, check out HKC resource materials. See the order page for descriptors and to view the Table of Content and booklet sample pages.