Healthy Eating with MyPlate

Grade 2 · Health · Study Guide

Learn about the five food groups and how to build a healthy plate every day.

MyPlate is a guide created by the United States government to help people eat healthy foods every day. It shows a dinner plate divided into four sections, plus a small circle for dairy.

The four sections on the plate are fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables. Fruits include apples, bananas, and oranges. Vegetables include carrots, broccoli, and spinach.

The other half of your plate should be grains and protein. Grains include bread, rice, pasta, and cereal. Try to choose whole grains like whole wheat bread when you can. Protein foods include chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts.

The small circle next to the plate represents dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy foods help build strong bones and teeth.

Eating a variety of foods from all five food groups every day gives your body the nutrients it needs to grow, learn, and play. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks is also part of eating healthy.

Key terms

MyPlate: A guide that shows how much of each food group to eat at every meal
food group: A category of foods that share similar nutrients, like fruits or vegetables
grains: Foods made from wheat, rice, oats, or corn, such as bread, pasta, and cereal
protein: Foods like meat, fish, eggs, and beans that help build muscles and keep the body strong
dairy: Foods made from milk, like cheese and yogurt, that help build strong bones
nutrients: Healthy substances in food that the body needs to grow and work properly

Flashcards

Fruits: Sweet foods that grow on plants and trees, like apples, oranges, and grapes
Vegetables: Plant foods like carrots, broccoli, and spinach that are full of vitamins
Grains: Foods like bread, rice, and pasta made from wheat, corn, or oats
Protein: Foods like chicken, fish, eggs, and beans that help your muscles grow
Dairy: Foods made from milk, like yogurt and cheese, that build strong bones
Whole grain: A grain that still has all its healthy parts, like whole wheat bread or brown rice
MyPlate: The U.S. government's food guide showing the five food groups on a dinner plate
Nutrients: Good things in food that help your body grow, stay healthy, and have energy

Questions

How many food groups are shown on MyPlate?
1. Three
2. Four
3. Five
4. Six
Show answer
Answer: Five
MyPlate shows five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.
Half of your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables.
Show answer
Answer: True
According to MyPlate, half your plate should be fruits and vegetables to get enough vitamins and fiber.
Which of these foods belongs in the grains group?
1. Apple
2. Chicken
3. Bread
4. Milk
Show answer
Answer: Bread
Bread is made from wheat, which makes it part of the grains food group.
Dairy foods like milk and cheese help build strong ______.
Show answer
Answer: bones
Dairy foods contain calcium, which is a mineral that helps build and keep bones strong.
Beans and eggs are both examples of protein foods.
Show answer
Answer: True
Both beans and eggs are excellent sources of protein, a nutrient that helps build and repair muscles.

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