While a food pyramid is helpful for students to understand how much of a certain food group they should eat, it's a good idea to start them off with understanding what is in each food group. In this activity, students will create a chart that contains examples of the five different food groups: vegetables, fruit, grains, protein, and dairy.
Vegetables can be split up into five subgroups: dark green vegetables, starchy vegetables, red and orange vegetables, beans and peas, and other vegetables. Food in the vegetable group can be cooked or eaten raw.
Fruit is a key part to a healthy diet. Fruits are often high in vitamins and minerals. Fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, canned, frozen, pureed, or even as fruit juice. There are a range of different fruits available from all over the world. Examples of fruit are berries, apples, and 100% orange juice.
Grains can be split up into two subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. It is recommended that half the grains that are consumed are whole grains. Examples of whole grains are whole-wheat flour, oatmeal, and brown rice. Examples of refined grains are white flour, white bread, and white rice.
Protein can come from both plant and animal sources. Examples are meat, fish, soybean products, nuts, and lentils.
Dairy is all liquid milk and foods made from milk. Examples of dairy are cheese, yogurt, and milk. Many dairy foods are good sources of calcium, which is a mineral needed to produce healthy bones.
For students that need more support, cut up the example storyboard and have students match the examples to the categories. To stretch your more advanced students, have them find examples of some of the subgroups listed above. This activity can also be completed as an entire classroom, with students suggesting foods and determining where they go.
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Student Instructions
Create a chart with three examples of the different food groups.
Engage students by planning a hands-on tasting session where they sample foods from each food group. This encourages curiosity and reinforces what they’ve learned by connecting real foods to their chart examples.
Explain food rules, allergy awareness, and manners before starting. Review any allergies or dietary restrictions with your class and get necessary permissions to ensure a safe experience for all students.
Prepare small, safe-to-eat samples representing each group: vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy. Use familiar and easy-to-source foods, and consider cultural variety to make the activity engaging for everyone.
Invite students to observe, smell, and taste each sample one group at a time. Ask them to guess which food group it belongs to and share their thoughts with the class.
Lead a conversation about favorite foods, surprising tastes, and how the samples fit into healthy eating. Encourage students to connect the tasting experience with their food group charts for deeper understanding.
The five main food groups are vegetables (such as carrots, spinach, and peas), fruit (like apples, berries, and oranges), grains (oatmeal, brown rice, white bread), protein (chicken, beans, nuts), and dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt).
Have students create a chart with the five food groups, then list and illustrate three examples for each. Use books, the internet, or classroom discussion to brainstorm foods, and encourage students to match foods to the correct group.
Whole grains contain all parts of the grain and are healthier options (like whole-wheat bread and brown rice), while refined grains are processed and have fewer nutrients (such as white bread and white rice).
Understanding food groups helps students make healthy eating choices, learn about balanced diets, and recognize foods that help their bodies grow and stay strong.
Try activities like matching foods to their groups, creating food group charts, or having students suggest and categorize foods during group discussions. Storyboard assignments and food group games also work well.