Lesson Plan

Meal Magic Outline

Students will identify the five food groups and practice building balanced meals by exploring colorful slides, drawing their own plate, and sorting foods in a collaborative game.

Understanding nutrition empowers students to make healthy food choices, supports growth, and builds lifelong wellness habits through engaging, hands-on activities.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Explore Food Groups

5 minutes

Step 3

My Balanced Plate Worksheet

10 minutes

Step 4

Food Group Sorting Game

8 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Assessment

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Colorful Food Groups

Welcome students! Today, we’re exploring the Five Food Groups. Explain that each group gives our bodies different nutrients to grow, play, and learn. Get them excited about colorful foods.

Why Balanced Meals Matter

Ask: “Why do we need different kinds of foods?” Guide them to answers like energy, growth, concentration, and staying healthy.

Fruits

Show pictures of apples, bananas, berries, and oranges. Explain vitamin C boosts immunity and fiber helps digestion. Prompt: “Who loves strawberries?”

Vegetables

Show carrots, broccoli, peppers, and spinach. Point out they come in many colors. Prompt: “What’s your favorite veggie?”

Grains

Show whole-wheat bread, rice, oatmeal, and pasta. Explain grains give us energy to play and learn. Ask: “Which grain do you eat at breakfast?”

Protein

Show eggs, chicken, beans, nuts. Explain protein builds muscles and repairs our bodies. Ask: “Who’s had beans in a meal?”

Dairy

Show milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified soy milk. Describe calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones and teeth. Ask: “Who likes yogurt?”

Review: The Five Food Groups

Review each group by asking students to name one food and nutrient per group. Emphasize filling plates with all five for balanced meals.