Plate Power Slides PLATE POWER
Fueling Your Body the MyPlate Way
🥦
🍎
🍞
🍗
What is MyPlate?
MyPlate is a visual guide created by the USDA to help us build balanced, healthy meals.
Replaced the old "Food Pyramid" in 2011.
Shows exactly how much of each food group should be on your plate.
Focuses on variety, amount, and nutrition.
Fruits
Veggies
Grains
Protein
Dairy
Meet the Food Groups
Fruits 🍎
Focus on whole fruits. Provides fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Vegetables 🥦
Vary your veggies! Dark greens, red, and orange are nutritional superstars.
Grains 🍞
Make at least half your grains whole grains (like brown rice or oats).
Protein 🍗
Vary your protein routine. Includes meat, beans, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
Dairy 🥛
Move to low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt (or soy alternatives).
Energy for Life
Nutrient Density
What is it?
Nutrient-dense foods give you the most vitamins and minerals with the fewest calories.
Compare these:
🍎 Fresh Apple
High fiber, vitamins
🥤 Apple Juice
Added sugar, low fiber
Pro Tips
Choose "Whole" instead of "Processed"
Look for vibrant colors (natural ones!)
Watch out for "Empty Calories" (added fats & sugars)
The Tiny Giants: Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
Help the body perform specific jobs.
Vitamin A: Sharp eyes (Carrots)
Vitamin C: Immunity/Heals cuts (Oranges)
Vitamin D: Strong bones (Milk/Sun)
Minerals
Found in the earth; help the body grow.
Calcium: Strong bones/teeth (Yogurt)
Iron: Carries oxygen in blood (Spinach)
Potassium: Heart/Muscle function (Bananas)
H2O is the Way
Your body is about 60% water. It’s the ultimate fuel for every cell!
Controls body temperature (Sweat!)
Boosts brain power and focus
Transports nutrients throughout your body
🥛
Drink water, not sugar!
Building a Balanced Plate
Meal Checklist
1
Are half your plate fruits & veggies?
2
Is at least half of your grain "whole"?
3
Do you have a lean protein source?
4
Did you include a dairy option?
Example Dinner
Roasted Chicken (Lean) PROTEIN
Brown Rice WHOLE GRAIN
Steamed Broccoli & Carrots VEGGIES
Slices of Melon FRUIT
Beyond the Plate
Physical Activity
Healthy eating works best when you keep moving. Aim for at least 60 minutes of activity every day!
Daily Movement
Whether it's sports, dance, or a brisk walk, finding ways to be active keeps your heart strong and your mood high.
🏃♂️💨
FUEL FOR MOVEMENT
Eat well to play hard.
Fuel Finder Worksheet FUEL FINDER
MyPlate Food Group Detective
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Sorting Station
Read the list of foods. Write each food into its correct MyPlate category. One food doesn't belong—can you spot it?
Broccoli Brown Rice Greek Yogurt Salmon Strawberries Oatmeal Lentils Spinach Soda Quinoa Cantaloupe
Fruits 🍎
Veggies 🥦
Grains 🍞
Protein 🍗
Dairy 🥛
Part 2: The Micronutrient Match
Match the vitamin or mineral to its superpower. Then, write one food from the word bank above that provides it.
Calcium
Matches with:
Food Source:
Vitamin C
Matches with:
Food Source:
Iron
Matches with:
Food Source:
A. Sharp Eyes B. Bone Strength C. Immune System D. Oxygen in Blood E. Muscle Control
Part 3: Density Duel
Circle the most nutrient-dense choice in each pair.
Fresh Orange vs Orange Soda
Grilled Salmon vs Fish Sticks
Part 4: H2O Hero
List two reasons why drinking water is better for your body than drinking soda.
Master Chef Project Guide Master Chef Project
Designing the Perfect Balanced Day
Student Designer
The Challenge
Your mission is to design a full day of meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) that follows all MyPlate guidelines.
Include all 5 food groups in the day.
Make half your grains "whole grains."
Focus on nutrient-dense choices.
Plan one physical activity for the day.
Action Plan
Physical Activity Goal:
Describe your 60 minutes of activity...
Hydration Plan:
What will you drink?
BREAKFAST
Morning Fuel
FRUIT GRAIN DAIRY
LUNCH
The Half-Plate Check
VEGGIE PROTEIN GRAIN
DINNER
Balanced Finish
VEGGIE FRUIT PROTEIN DAIRY
The Ultimate Goal
A healthy lifestyle isn't about perfection; it's about choosing better fuels to power your best self!
Plate Polish Exit Ticket Plate Polish
EXIT TICKET
Show what you know about MyPlate!
Student Name
1 Half of your plate should be...
Protein & Grains
Fruits & Vegetables
2 Define "Nutrient Density":
3 Identify one job of Water:
4 Which mineral builds strong bones?
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin C
Plate Polish
EXIT TICKET
Show what you know about MyPlate!
Student Name
1 Half of your plate should be...
Protein & Grains
Fruits & Vegetables
2 Define "Nutrient Density":
3 Identify one job of Water:
4 Which mineral builds strong bones?
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin C
Plate Power Teacher Guide Plate Power
Teacher Guide & Facilitation Notes
SUBJECT: HEALTH
Learning Objectives
Identify the five food groups represented in the USDA MyPlate model.
Identify key vitamins (A, C, D) and minerals (Calcium, Iron) and their functions.
Explain the importance of water for temperature regulation and brain function.
Define nutrient density and apply MyPlate guidelines to meal planning.
Suggested Pacing
10 min
Introduction & Hook
Hook: "How much of your body is water?" (60%). Discuss fuel types.
25 min
Direct Instruction (Slides)
Present "Plate Power Slides." Focus heavily on the new Micronutrient and Water slides.
15 min
Guided Practice (Worksheet)
Students complete "Fuel Finder Worksheet," specifically the Matching section.
25 min
Application (Project)
Meal design with "Master Chef Project Guide." Ensure they include water.
Key Vocabulary
NUTRIENT DENSITY
High nutrient-to-calorie ratio.
VITAMINS
Organic substances for specific functions (e.g., Vitamin C for immunity).
MINERALS
Inorganic elements (e.g., Calcium for bones).
HYDRATION
Maintaining fluid balance for cell function.
Answer Keys
Fuel Finder Worksheet Key
Sorting Station
Fruits: Strawberries, Cantaloupe
Veggies: Broccoli, Spinach
Grains: Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Quinoa
Protein: Salmon, Lentils
Dairy: Greek Yogurt
Odd One: Soda
Micronutrient Match
Calcium: B (Bones) / Greek Yogurt
Vitamin C: C (Immune) / Strawberries
Iron: D (Blood) / Spinach or Lentils
H2O Hero
Answers: No added sugar, helps brain focus, regulates temp, transports nutrients.
Exit Ticket Key
1. Half the plate?
Fruits & Vegetables
2. Nutrient Density definition
"Vitamins and minerals for fewer calories."
3. Job of Water
Regulates temp / Brain power / Transports nutrients
4. Bone Mineral
Calcium
Pro-Tips
Use a visual demo for the "Water" section: show a bag of sugar equivalent to a soda (approx 40g) versus a bottle of water. This creates a powerful visual for nutrient density.