Balanced nutrition and reading food choices
Aligned to NHES 1 — SHAPE America National Standards.
What this lesson teaches
A balanced meal has different parts, like the MyPlate idea: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and some dairy. Your body needs different nutrients to grow, focus, and have energy. Sugary drinks have lots of sugar and little goodness, so water and milk are better most of the time.
Worked example
Build a balanced plate: fill half with fruits and veggies, a quarter with a grain like rice, and a quarter with protein like chicken or beans, with water to drink.
Practice questions
- Name the parts of a balanced plate.
- Which is a better everyday drink, soda or water, and why?
- Plan one balanced meal you could pack.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Nutrición balanceada y cómo elegir alimentos
Una comida balanceada tiene diferentes partes, como la idea de MiPlato: frutas, verduras, cereales, proteínas y algo de lácteos. Tu cuerpo necesita diferentes nutrientes para crecer, concentrarse y tener energía. Las bebidas azucaradas tienen mucha azúcar y poco valor nutritivo, por eso el agua y la leche son mejores opciones la mayor parte del tiempo.
Ejemplo: Arma un plato balanceado: llena la mitad con frutas y verduras, un cuarto con un cereal como arroz y el otro cuarto con proteína como pollo o frijoles, acompañado de agua para tomar.
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