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Nutrition for the Third Grade

By the end of the third grade, students should be aware of and made familiar with general nutrition information and how various types of food can affect their bodies. Topics such as the importance of eating a healthy breakfast, familiarity with the food pyramid, the role of various food types and healthy eating habits should all be brought into their school curriculum and lives.

  1. Food Pyramid

    • According to the Food Guide Pyramid on the KidsHealth website, a healthy balance of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and fats and oils is required for a healthy child. The pyramid suggests that while individual needs should be taken into account, having a higher concentration of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and lean meats in proportion to a lesser consumption of fats, oils, and sugar will lead to healthier bodies.

    Variety

    • Third-grade students should be taught to eat a variety of foods every day.

    Food Lables

    • Food labels are on nearly all processed food items. Third graders should know how to read food labels and the healthy quantities for each ingredient on them. There are many lesson plans involving food labels that can be part of third-grade curriculum through educational websites.

    Healthy Breakfast

    • According to Kid'sHealth, any breakfast is better than no breakfast at all. Children need to fuel their bodies for the energy it takes to be actively engaged at school and during their extracurricular activities. As any meal, breakfast should include a variety of foods including vegetables, fruits, dairy products and foods with lean proteins.

    Youth Nutrition and Health Facts

    • According to the Colorado State University Extension, childhood obesity can lead to severe health complications later in life, and those who have weight problems as children are more likely to continue so as adults. Suggesting proper eating habits and educating children about nutrition can help combat the risk of health complications in the future. Third graders should participate in choosing their meals with health and nutrition in mind. For example, knowing that eating an apple is a healthier choice than a slice of apple pie, since pies have many added sugars, is necessary in their understanding of how nutrition works.

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