Thinking About Nutrition
Nutrition lesson plans and crafts can help kids to learn about nutrition and learn to value taking care of their bodies. When they are growing up in a world where fast-food commercials are flashed everywhere, it can be hard for them to stop and think about doing what is best for their bodies. But with the proper support from educators and parents, kids can overcome these pressures and make healthy decisions.
The Food Pyramid
A lesson plan on the food pyramid is a vital part of teaching kids about nutrition. Get a copy of the food pyramid from the USDA and create a coloring page featuring the pyramid. Invite kids to color in the food pyramid and talk about foods that might fit into each section.
Set the Plate
Teach children to create balanced meals featuring a variety of colors and foods from each food group. For this lesson plan, hand out white paper plates and construction paper. Have the children color their plates and cut out foods from the construction paper to show what a healthy meal would look like. This lesson will help them experience putting together healthy meals and also proper portion sizes.
The Grocery Store
Teach the kids shop by setting up a grocery store in your classroom. Put fresh produce, meats, and dairy products around the perimeter of the classroom and junk food in the middle. Give the children green construction paper and have them cut out play money to use in going grocery shopping. Teach them to buy items from the perimeter of the store instead of from the center isles where the junk food is displayed.
Organic Foods
Make sure to include a lesson plan on eating organic foods when possible. Talk about the impact of pesticides and antibiotics on our bodies and about how much easier it is for our bodies to process foods that are not laden with chemicals. Have the children fill paper cups with good organic soil and then plant beans in the cups. Show the children grow the beans without chemicals, transplant them to a larger growing area as they grow, and then let them enjoy the fruits of their labor.
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