Build Your Own Food Plate

Most Scouts are probably familiar with the “Build My Plate” model from school. To make the nutrition components of the Scout program more interesting, turn them into a hands-on activity.

Materials

• One large piece of poster board – the bigger the better
• markers
• magazines with pictures of food (or use the cards from the Food Pyramid Go Fish game and pictures of physical activity (walking, running, hiking, exercising , etc.)
• scissors
• glue

Instructions

1. Get a large piece of poster board – the bigger the better.
2. Draw a big circle to be the plate on the poster. Draw the smaller circle for the dairy space. Divide the plate into the different food groups. See the printable materials at choosemyplate.gov for an example. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just the basic shapes will do.
3. Have the scouts cut pictures of various types of food out of the magazines. Also have them cut out some pictures of people involved in exercise or physical activities.
4. They should glue the pictures to the appropriate  place on the plate.
5. Place the pictures of the people engaged in activity along the side of the plate.
6. While placing discuss the importance of eating a balanced diet and talk about the importance of physical activity.