MYPLATE MYGARDEN OVERVIEW A BALANCED DIET IS ESSENTIAL TO

MYPLATE MYGARDEN OVERVIEW A BALANCED DIET IS ESSENTIAL TO





MyPlate, MyGarden





Overview

A balanced diet is essential to good health. The following resources help students learn to classify foods into groups, and balance these groups when planning meals. We specifically highlighted resources that make the connection between food and the farms and gardens where they are grown.


Demonstration Lesson

“MyPlate, MyGarden,” from Life Lab's Plant It, Grow It, Eat It! Workshop Series


Logistics

Time: 30 minutes

Location: Out in the Garden

Materials List*


*Summarized from the Demonstration Lesson. Refer to the original for a complete materials list.




Free resources that support teaching Food Groups in the Garden

"Choose MyPlate" This website, supported by the USDA, provides free posters, activities, and other resources, including USDA's MyPlate, which is a graphic representation of a balanced diet. www.choosemyplate.gov


“MyPlate Inspires MyGarden” This website provides a list of suggested plants for a MyPlate-themed garden. By planting grains, beans and other protein sources, fruits and vegetables, you can make your garden an ideal site for hands-on MyPlate lessons. http://suite101.com/article/myplate-inspires-mygarden-a374463


The Dairy Council of California has a nutrition education curriculum that includes an online "My Plate Match Game," as well as a print curriculum that includes a set of colorful food cards including foods from each food group. http://www.dairycouncilofca.org/Educators/



"Wake Up to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables" has free, colorful, downloadable images of various fruits and veggies. http://www.wakeupfv.com/resources/golden_state.html


"Chef Ann's Meal Wheel" - An alternative to MyPlate, this colorful, graphic representation of how to balance food groups is available in English and Spanish, and comes with a "Healthy Kid's Nutrition Report Card." http://www.chefann.com/html/tools-links/meal-wheel.html



Food for Thought

Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE) Fall 2012 Section: MyPlate, MyGarden

For additional resources, visit www.csgn.org/gene MyPlate, MyGarden Overview







Tags: balanced diet, a balanced, overview, essential, balanced, myplate, mygarden