the FOOD Pyramid Steps to a healthier you

the FOOD Pyramid Steps to a healthier you

Eating Right Every Day Ø Food is the fuel your body needs in order to run. Ø You wouldn’t put bad fuel in your car, would you? Good fuel is just as important for your body! Ø It’s important to eat balanced meals every day, and the food pyramid shows you how!

The Food Pyramid Steps to a healthier you GRAINS VEGETABLES FRUITS OILS MILK MEAT & BEANS

Grains Make half of your grains whole Ø You should eat about 6 ounces of grains each day. Ø Some examples of grains are • Bread • Cereal • Crackers • Rice • Pasta Ø Whole grains are the best kind for you…for example, there is more nutritional value in whole wheat bread than white bread.

Vegetables Vary your veggies Ø You should eat about 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day. Ø What are some vegetables you can think of? Ø It is important to vary your veggies—this means to eat lots of different veggies throughout the day. • Hint: Eat different colors!! (Greens, oranges, etc. ) • Brightly colored vegetables have lots of nutrition.

Fruits Focus on fruits Ø You should eat 1 ½ cups of fruits each day. Ø What are some of your favorite fruits? Ø Like veggies, you should try to eat a variety of different fruits in lots of different colors.

Oils Know your fats Ø You should try not to eat very many oils and fats. Ø Some oils and fats are: • Butter • Oil • Candy • “Junk Food” Ø Fats and oils are okay every once in a while, but they shouldn’t be part of your diet every single day. Ø There are better ways to fill up your “fuel tank”!

Milk Get your calcium rich foods Ø You should have 3 cups of milk or calcium each day. Ø Some foods that contain milk or calcium are: • Milk • Cheese • Yogurt Ø Calcium helps your body build strong, healthy bones!

Meat and Beans Go lean on protein Ø You should eat 5 ounces of meat and beans each day. Ø The meat and beans food group includes: • Chicken • Turkey • Hamburger meat • Nuts • Beans • Peas • Eggs Ø Meat and beans provide your body with the protein it needs to run well.

Physical Activity Strive for 60 minutes or more per day Ø You wouldn’t expect your car to keep working if you always left it parked in the garage. Ø Your body needs physical activity, along with a good diet, in order to stay in good working condition. Ø You should try to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Ø What are some ways you get physical activity each day? (Hint: some examples during school include PE and recess!)

Eat Well and Stay Healthy! Ø Now that you know all about healthy eating and exercising, we are going to keep track of what we eat for three days! Ø Starting tomorrow morning, use your Food Pyramid Worksheets to write down what you eat and how long you move around each day. Ø After three days, we are going to take a look at our worksheets, and determine whether our bodies are getting all the fuel we need.