Nutrition Activity Choice Board - Nutrition Worksheets for Middle ... - Free Printable

Solution to the Food Group Sorting Activity

This worksheet is designed to help students categorize different foods into their respective food groups based on the USDA MyPlate model. The circle is divided into four sections: Protein, Vegetables, Grains, and Fruits. Below the circle are 24 food items that need to be sorted into the correct categories.

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Step-by-Step Explanation

We will go through each food item and determine which food group it belongs to:

#### 1. Vegetables
These are plant-based foods that are not fruits, typically eaten raw or cooked.
- 🍅 Tomato
- 🌿 Corn (on the cob)
- 🥦 Green beans
- 🥦 String beans (green beans)
- 🥦 Peas (in pod)
- 🥦 Broccoli (not shown but implied in bowl of salad)
- 🥦 Spinach (in salad)

✔ Vegetables:
- Tomato
- Corn
- Green beans (x2)
- Peas
- Salad (contains vegetables)

#### 2. Fruits
These are sweet or sour plant parts that contain seeds.
- 🍇 Grapes
- 🍑 Peach
- 🍎 Apple
- 🍌 Banana (not shown) – but no banana here

✔ Fruits:
- Grapes
- Peach
- Apple

> Note: The salad contains vegetables, so it’s not a fruit.

#### 3. Protein
These include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and nuts.
- 🥚 Egg
- 🐟 Fish
- 🍗 Chicken drumstick
- 🍗 Roast chicken
- 🥩 Steak
- 🧀 Cheese
- 🥣 Yogurt (in cup with spoon)
- 🥣 Canned tuna (in box)
- 🍜 Noodles (pasta) – technically a grain, but sometimes confused

Wait! Let's clarify:
- Cheese → Dairy, often grouped under Protein in MyPlate.
- Yogurt → Dairy, also in Protein.
- Tuna → Fish → Protein
- Egg → Protein
- Chicken → Protein
- Steak → Protein
- Noodles → Grains

So:
✔ Protein:
- Egg
- Fish
- Chicken drumstick
- Roast chicken
- Steak
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Tuna (canned)

#### 4. Grains
These are foods made from wheat, rice, oats, corn, etc.
- 🍞 Bread
- 🍜 Pasta (noodles)
- 🍚 Rice (in bowl)
- 🌾 Wheat stalk
- 🍜 Spaghetti (twisted noodle)
- 🍚 Cooked rice (in bowl)

✔ Grains:
- Bread
- Pasta (noodles)
- Rice (cooked)
- Wheat stalk
- Spaghetti

> Note: Some may debate whether pasta is "grain" — yes, it is, as it’s made from flour.

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Final Classification

| Food Group | Items |
|----------------|----------|
| Protein | Egg, Fish, Chicken drumstick, Roast chicken, Steak, Cheese, Yogurt, Tuna |
| Vegetables | Tomato, Corn, Green beans, Peas, Salad (vegetables), String beans |
| Fruits | Grapes, Peach, Apple |
| Grains | Bread, Pasta (noodles), Rice, Wheat stalk, Spaghetti |

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Instructions for Use

1. Students should cut out the food pictures below.
2. Glue or paste each food item into the correct section of the plate.
3. Title the chart appropriately, such as: "My Healthy Plate" or "Balanced Diet".

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Educational Goal

This activity teaches children about balanced nutrition using the MyPlate model, emphasizing:
- Eating a variety of foods
- Portion balance
- Understanding food groups

It aligns with health and science standards for early grades.

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✔ Final Answer Summary:

- Protein: Egg, Fish, Chicken drumstick, Roast chicken, Steak, Cheese, Yogurt, Tuna
- Vegetables: Tomato, Corn, Green beans, Peas, Salad, String beans
- Fruits: Grapes, Peach, Apple
- Grains: Bread, Pasta, Rice, Wheat stalk, Spaghetti

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or labels for this!