Overview

Description:	Students throw and catch a beanbag and hop around while naming healthy foods.
Objective:	Students will identify a variety of healthy foods.
Materials:	Beanbag or Koosh Ball

Activity

1. Ask the students to stand in a circle.
2. Ask each student to raise one hand and to keep it raised until she or he receives the beanbag so everyone knows who still needs a turn.
3. Toss the beanbag (using an underhand throw) to a student. This student should then throw the beanbag to a new student. Each student should catch the beanbag once.
4. Now have the students play the game again, only this time after each student tosses the beanbag across the circle, she or he should follow it by hopping over to that location and taking up that place in the circle.
5. Ask the students why it is important to eat lots of different kinds, or a variety, of healthy foods (because each healthy food does something very different and very special for our bodies). Give them some specific examples (e.g. oranges help us fight off colds and low-fat yogurt keeps our bones strong).
6. Now add the final element. Have the students play again, but this time the student who receives the beanbag should catch it, state one healthy food, and then throw the beanbag to a different student.
7. There should be continuous movement as students throw, catch, and move to a new spot. If a student names a "slow" food, challenge her or him to think of a healthier choice.
8. See how long they can keep the beanbag moving and how many healthy foods they can name.

Background Information

Although all foods can fit into a healthy eating plan in moderation, it is important to reinforce that healthier foods give the body more energy to play and grow. "Junk foods," (processed foods high in fat and added sugar), contain a significant amount of calories but add very little nutrition to kids’ diets.

"Go" foods refer to nutritious foods which give the body the energy to go and grow. "Slow" foods refer to foods high in fat and added sugar which can slow the body down.

Healthy ("Go") Foods and Drinks:

pretzels	whole grain bread
grilled chicken	baked tortilla chips with salsa
eggs	air popped popcorn (without butter)
oatmeal	low-sugar granola bars
fresh fruits	whole wheat pizza
turkey	fresh vegetables
hummus	low-fat trail mix
tuna fish	peanut butter crackers
low-fat yogurt	100% fruit juice
applesauce	skim or low-fat milk
water	natural fruit smoothies

Less Healthy ("Slow") Foods and Drinks:

soft drinks	white bread and rolls
cake	cookies (Oreos, etc.)
pie	fried chicken
bacon	candy (Skittles, etc.)
potato chips	high-sugar juice (Kool-Aid, etc.)
doughnuts