Healthy Foods & My Body

Eating healthy foods every day gives your body energy to grow, play, and stay well.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Healthy foods & my body as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Healthy foods are foods that come from nature and give your body what it needs to work its best. They help your bones grow strong, keep your heart beating, give you energy to run and jump, and help you fight off sickness.

Remember the rule

Eat a rainbow! Try to have foods of many different colors on your plate every day — each color brings different good things for your body.

Key words

Healthy food: A food that helps your body grow and feel good, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Energy: The power your body gets from food so you can move, think, and play.
Nutrients: The good stuff inside food, like vitamins and minerals, that help your body work.
Protein: A nutrient found in foods like eggs, beans, and chicken that helps your muscles grow strong.
Calcium: A mineral in milk and cheese that makes your bones and teeth hard and strong.
Vitamins: Tiny helpers inside fruits and vegetables that keep you from getting sick.
Grains: Foods like bread, rice, and oatmeal that give your body lots of energy to keep going.
Vegetables: Plant foods like carrots, broccoli, and peas that are full of vitamins and keep your body healthy.

Worked examples

Maya wants energy to play at recess. What is a good snack to eat before she goes outside?

→ An apple and a small handful of crackers. · Apples give vitamins and natural sugar for quick energy; crackers give grains for longer-lasting energy.

Ben's mom says he needs strong bones. Which drink should Ben choose — milk or soda?

→ Milk. · Milk has calcium that builds strong bones; soda has sugar and no nutrients that help bones.

Lily's lunch plate has chicken, white rice, and broccoli. Which food on her plate gives her protein?

→ The chicken gives her protein. · Protein from chicken helps Lily's muscles stay strong so she can climb and run.

The teacher puts an orange, a cookie, and carrots on the table. Which two are healthy foods?

→ The orange and the carrots are healthy foods. · Oranges and carrots come from nature and are full of vitamins; cookies are a treat with lots of added sugar.

Carlos feels tired and did not eat breakfast. Why might eating breakfast help him feel better?

→ Breakfast gives his body energy after sleeping all night so his brain and body can wake up and work. · Your body uses up energy while you sleep, so breakfast refills your energy tank.

What should a healthy plate look like at lunchtime?

→ Half the plate should be fruits and vegetables, one part should be a grain like bread or rice, and one part should be a protein like beans, eggs, or chicken. · Filling half your plate with colorful fruits and veggies is one of the easiest healthy eating rules to remember.

Common mistakes

Thinking juice is the same as fruit — juice has lots of sugar and fewer nutrients than eating a whole piece of fruit.
Believing all white foods are unhealthy — cauliflower, bananas, and milk are white and very healthy.
Skipping vegetables because they do not look exciting — trying a vegetable more than once or with a dip like hummus can make it taste better.
Thinking treats like cookies or chips are okay to eat all the time — treats are fine once in a while but should not replace healthy foods every day.
Forgetting that water is the best drink for your body — many kids choose sugary drinks instead, but water keeps every part of your body working.

FAQs

Do I have to eat vegetables even if I do not like them?

Yes, but you can start small! Try just one or two bites each time. Your taste buds are still growing, and many kids start to like vegetables after trying them several times. You can also try them with a little dip to make them tastier.

Is it okay to eat candy and chips sometimes?

Yes, treats are okay once in a while, like at a birthday party or on a special day. The important thing is that most of what you eat each day comes from healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins.

Why does my body need food every day?

Your body uses food all day long — to breathe, move, think, and grow. You cannot store enough energy to skip meals, so eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner keeps your energy topped up all day.

What counts as a healthy breakfast?

Oatmeal with fruit, whole-grain toast with eggs, or yogurt with berries are all great breakfasts. They give you grains, protein, and vitamins to start the day strong.

Is fruit healthy even though it tastes sweet?

Yes! Fruit is naturally sweet, but it also has vitamins, fiber, and water that are great for your body. This is different from candy, which has added sugar and no vitamins.

How much water should I drink each day?

Kindergarteners should try to drink about 5 cups of water a day. Drinking water keeps your blood moving, helps you think clearly, and stops you from feeling tired.

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