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Eating Well
Lesson 1 of 4 · Food Basics5 min

What a Balanced Plate Looks Like

A balanced meal has a mix of foods. You don't need to count anything. A simple way to picture it is to think of your plate in parts.

In this lesson

  • Name the main food groups.
  • Picture how to fill a balanced plate.

The food groups

  • Fruits and vegetables. Like apples, bananas, carrots, and broccoli. They give vitamins.

  • Grains. Like bread, rice, and pasta. They give energy.

  • Protein. Like chicken, eggs, beans, and fish. They help your body grow and repair.

  • Dairy. Like milk, cheese, and yogurt. They help your bones.

Fill your plate

An easy way to build a meal: fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with protein, and one quarter with grains.

Treats are okay too

You can still enjoy treats like chips, candy, or soda. The idea is balance — most meals have a mix of healthy foods, and treats are smaller and less often.

Quick check

Try these to see what you remember. There are no grades — pick an answer to see how you did.

1. A simple way to build a balanced plate is to fill half of it with what?

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