How to Distinguish (Differentiate) Foods in Various Categories
- Milk and dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, buttermilk
- Fresh vegetables and fruits, freshly squeezed juices
- Fish and other products containing omega-3
- Nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts)
- Meat and meat products, legumes
- Bread and cereals
- Foods containing saturated fat and trans fat such as chips, fried foods, chocolate, pastry products with cream, salami, sausage, hamburger
- Ready-made foods with high salt content, such as sauces (ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, etc.), pickled foods and pickles, snacks (such as chips, popcorn, cereal bar)
- Foods with high sugar content, such as all types of chocolates, soda/carbonated beverages, candies, sweetened fruit juices, bakery products such as cakes and cookies.
As a healthy meal model, the ‘Plate Model by Food Groups’ was created. There are 5 food groups on the plate. The plate is arranged based on food variety, which is the basic approach for healthy nutrition. In the clockwise direction on the plate, there are, respectively; milk and dairy products, meat and meat products, eggs and legumes (lentils, dried beans, chickpeas, etc.) and oil seeds (walnut, hazelnut, almond, etc.) group, fresh fruits group, fresh vegetables group, bread and cereals group.
The objective is to select and consume a food from each food group on the plate at each meal.
ACTIVITIES FOR FOOD SELECTION
In this section, activities are planned for children in order to develop their skills and knowledge of distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy foods and to creating adequate and balanced meals from foods, and transforming them into attitudes over time.
ACHIEVEMENT:
Should be able to categorize nutrients as 5 main food groups
MATERIALS:
- Flash Cards cards (each contains a nutrient and there is brief information about the relevant nutrient on the back of the cards)
- Food Groups Panel (5 Basic food group headings are in columns.)
- Magnetic / Self-Adhesive food cards
*Image of the front and back sides of the flash cards
*Food group panel
Magnetic/Self-Adhesive food cards
ACHIEVEMENT:
Creating a healthy food plate for a healthy and balanced meal
MATERIALS:
- Food cards (with a few options from each food group)
- Plate
Create a healthy dinner plate for himself.
ACHIEVEMENT:
Being able to distinguish between healthy foods and unhealthy foods,
MATERIALS:
- Food cards
- Healthy and unhealthy foods chart
- Emoji cards
*Table of foods that should be increased/reduced consumption
*Food cards
*Emoji cards
ACHIEVEMENT:
Being able to distinguish between healthy foods and unhealthy foods,
MATERIALS:
- Food cards
- Activity sheet
- Crayons
Healthy and unhealthy foods are given in the chart below. From these foods, match the foods that need to be consumed with a happy emoji 😊, and the foods that need to be reduced with a sad emoji ☹ by using a crayon.
*Example of Activity sheet