Lesson 4 - Physical Education for Body, Mind and Spirit

appropriate column. After they give a few examples for each nutrient, show them the My
Pyramid poster.
• Give students a few moments to familiarize themselves with the My Pyramid poster.
Then, ask where the food items they listed would go on the Food Pyramid. Give an
example first, by taking one of the post-its and placing it on the food group slice
where it belongs. For example, if the Post-it says “tortilla/carbohydrate” stick it on
the Grains food group slice.
• Once all of the post-its are on the poster, ask the students where carbohydrates fall on
the pyramid. Make the point that grains, vegetables and fruits are our main sources of
carbohydrates. Repeat the question for proteins and fats. Make the point that Meat
and Beans are our main sources for protein, and Dairy and Oils are our main sources
for fats.
• Place the Carbohydrates/Proteins/Fats poster under the My Pyramid poster, line it up
with the Pyramid as follows: Carbohydrates underneath the Grains, Vegetables and
Fruits, Proteins and Fats underneath the Meats and Dairy and Minerals and Vitamins
under all food groups. (See the diagram below.)
Carbohydrates Proteins Fats
Minerals and Vitamins
• Tell students that it’s important to balance (consume foods from all food groups on
the Food Pyramid) their diet between all of the food groups. Write the word
“balance” on the dry erase/chalkboard.
• Direct students’ attention to the physical activity component of the Pyramid. Explain
that this is a new addition to the Pyramid. Equally as important as having a healthy
diet is making physical activity a regular part of each day.
4.3 Food Pyramid Groups 27 minutes
Materials: Food group/physical activity posters, Food Model cards, Food Groups (Activity
Sheets 4.3a-g), Food Pyramid (Activity Sheet 4.3h), Portion Distortion tear pad (1 tear sheet
per student)
Explain that students will now be learning about the Food Pyramid (a graphic representation
of human nutritional needs in the form of a pyramid) by investigating one of the food groups
or the physical activity component. There will be specific information they will be asked to
contribute to the class.
Nutrition and Physical Activity for Lifelong Health Lesson Four • 48
ETR Associates