FOOD GROUPS AND NUTRIENTS

This project explores the six major food groups and the specific nutrients they provide. It aims to help children understand how the foods they consume contribute to their growth, energy levels, and overall well-being. The project involves interactive sessions where students learn about macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). 

Goal: To instill in children a fundamental understanding of how food fuels their bodies. By emphasizing nutrient variety and balance, the project aims to promote healthy eating habits for future wellness

Before playing the game, engage students in a discussion about their eating habits:

• Ask students to share what they ate for breakfast or lunch
• Discuss different food groups (Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins & Minerals)
• Talk about the importance of balanced nutrition

Conduct a brief quiz to ensure students understand basic nutrition concepts:

• What foods give us energy?
• Which foods help build strong muscles?
• What makes a healthy snack?

• Game board
• Dice
• Player tokens (one per student)
• Question cards (included on board)

1. Divide the class into groups of 5-6 players
2. Each player places their token at the "Start" position
3. Players take turns rolling the dice
4. Move your token the number of spaces shown on the dice
5. When you land on a space, answer the corresponding nutrition question
6. If you answer correctly, stay on that space
7. If you answer incorrectly, move back to your previous position
8. First player to reach "Finish" wins!

• Encourage discussion after each question
• Use wrong answers as teaching moments
• Keep track of commonly missed questions for future review
• Consider giving bonus points for students who can explain their answers

After the game, have students:

• Share one new thing they learned about nutrition
• Write down one healthy eating goal for the week
• Design their own healthy meal using knowledge from the game

By the end of this activity, students should understand:

• The importance of different food groups
• How to make healthy snack choices
• Basic nutrition principles for growing bodies
• The connection between food and energy