IU trident logo

Indiana University

Health Academy Part 2: Balanced Eating and your Health

What makes up a healthy diet, and how does this lead to better health? Let’s watch our student nurses explain MyPlate with IU Health GOAL and learn how to create your own.

avocado toast with pomegranate seeds, boiled eggs, and herbs

Healthy Eating

Ever heard of the saying “you are what you eat?” Thinking about the food you eat and the nutrients you are getting directly impacts your health.

Food Categories. And action!

Follow along as School of Nursing students lead an IU Health GOAL exercise.

MyPlate is divided into four sections of approximately 30 percent grains, 40 percent vegetables, 10 percent fruits and 20 percent protein, accompanied by a smaller circle representing dairy, such as a glass of milk or a yogurt cup.

Make your own MyPlate

Make your own MyPlate using paper plates and some crayons and markers! 

Materials Checklist

  • 1 large paper plate
  • 1 small paper plate*
  • Crayons and markers
  • Stapler (optional)

*If you don’t have a small size paper plate, you can cut the middle out of a second large paper plate to make a small plate.

Instructions

  1. Use a dark marker or crayon to divide up your large paper plate into four sections like MyPlate.
  2. Label each section to match MyPlate. The small plate can be labeled “Dairy.”
  3. Color in each section to match the MyPlate colors.
  4. Use a stapler to connect your Dairy small plate to the large plate on the upper right side to match MyPlate (optional).
Onward to Part 3!

Extra Credit

MyPlate Infographic

Why do you need a balanced diet? Learn more!

Food Group Activity

Knowing how to categorize foods is the first step in keeping a balanced plate. Sort through the following foods to test your knowledge.

|

,