Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the students will: - Be able to identify staple foods of a balanced diet -Be able to explain why a balanced diet is important -Understand the main food groups and how to eat a balanced diet.

Materials: - Charts, cards, and pictures of different food groups - Print outs, or booklets about a balanced diet

Procedure:

• Introduction: Explain to the students that today we’re going to be learning about how to eat a balanced diet.

• Food Group Activity: Ask the students to name different types of foods. Write these on the board. Sort these foods into different food groups. Introduce the concept of the five major food groups (fruits, veggies, grains, dairy, and proteins). Show pictures and cards of each group to help illustrate the difference.

• Eat a Rainbow: Discuss the importance of eating a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, which can give us different amounts of essential vitamins and nutrients. Demonstrate a healthy rainbow plate that includes items from all different food groups.

• Why is Eating a Balanced Diet Important? Talk to the students about why a balanced diet is important. Discuss the benefits of eating a balanced diet and explain that by eating healthily, they can feel better, stay healthy, and have more energy throughout the day.

• Activity: Divide the class into small teams and provide them with different food group cards. Ask the students to arrange the cards in a way that illustrates how to eat a balanced diet. Encourage them to be creative and come up with different combinations for their plate.

Conclusion: Summarize the main points of the lesson. Answer any remaining questions and emphasize the importance of a balanced diet.

Evaluation: Have the students draw a plate that illustrates a balanced diet. Discuss the ways in which it is healthy and nutritious.