Athletics & Wellness
Grade 4
10 min
Family Meals That Power Performance
Plan balanced family meals using the plate model.
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1
Fueling for Fun and Focus
Family meals are more than just food; they're a chance to connect and refuel after a busy day. For active kids, the right food provides the energy they need for school, sports, and playing with friends. Eating together helps build healthy habits and creates a positive, supportive environment around food.
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Meet the Performance Plate
A simple way to plan balanced meals is to use the 'Performance Plate' model. Imagine your child's plate divided into sections. Aim to fill half the plate with colorful fruits and vegetables, one quarter with protein foods like chicken or beans, and the final quarter with whole-grain foods like brown rice or whole-wheat bread.
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What Each Part Does
Each part of the plate has a special job. Fruits and veggies provide vitamins to keep the body healthy. Protein helps build and repair strong muscles. Whole grains deliver steady, long-lasting energy that's perfect for a long school day or a big game.
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Challenging
A family has one child who is a competitive swimmer and another who is less active. How can the plate model be used to serve the SAME meal to both children?
0.The less active child should skip the carbohydrate portion of the meal.
1.Serve the same balanced foods, but adjust the portion sizes of carbohydrates based on each child's activity level.
2.The competitive swimmer should eat two full plates of food.
3.The less active child should only eat fruits and vegetables for dinner.
Challenging
A teenager is starting a more intensive training schedule and is often hungry. How can the plate model be adapted to support their increased energy needs without creating unhealthy habits?
0.Tell them to ignore their hunger to maintain a certain body type.
1.Allow them to eat unlimited amounts of junk food after practice.
2.Increase the portion sizes of all components on their balanced plate, especially carbohydrates, and incorporate planned, healthy snacks.
3.Replace all their meals with protein shakes.
Easy
According to the performance plate model, what should fill half of your child's plate?
0.A. Protein foods
1.B. Whole grain foods
2.C. Fruits and vegetables
3.D. Dairy products
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