Nutrition Education Resources

DID YOU KNOW? School meals must meet federal nutrition guidelines for fat, saturated fat, sodium, and calories as well as specific requirements for each of the 5 food components per week. Food components include grains, meat/meat alternative, fruit, vegetable, and milk. Requirements vary for grades K-8 and 9-12. Vegetable subgroups also have minimum serving requirements per week by grade level, including red/orange, green, beans, starchy, and other varieties.

A la carte snacks and beverages sold in schools must meet Smart Snacks guidelines.

Nutrition Education in the Classroom

Visit the links below for lesson plans, activities, free printable materials, recipes, and more for use in the classroom. These are just a few great reliable sources of nutrition information.

Additional Resources

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Registered Dietitians should be your first source for evidence-based nutrition information. You also can

Choose My Plate

The previous food pyramid has evolved into USDA's MyPlate which consists of an easy graphic showing how to build a healthy meal. Half your plate should be filled with fruits and veggies, ¼ with lean protein, and ¼ with grains along with a spot for low fat dairy. Aim for ½ of your daily grains to be whole grains such as whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, etc.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are released every 5 years and provide recommendations for healthy living and chronic disease prevention. Suggestions for 2015-2020 include choosing nutrient dense foods, limited added fats, sugars, and sodium, and including whole grains, fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy, and lean protein as part of a healthy lifestyle.