Overview

Description:	The class creates dance moves based on how they feel when they eat their favorite, healthy, dinner foods.
Objective:	Students will share how eating a healthy dinner makes them feel.
Materials:	Chalkboard with chalk or poster board with markers

Activity

1. Gather the students into a large circle.
2. Remind them why it is important to eat healthy foods for dinner (because healthy dinner foods refuel the body with energy spent during the day).
3. Ask them for a few examples of healthy dinner foods. Remind them that foods and drinks high in fat and/or added sugar (such as fried chicken and soft drinks) are not the healthiest options and should not be eaten often because they can slow our bodies down.
4. Tell the class you are going to create another "Food Dance," but this time with dinner foods.
5. Quickly brainstorm some "feeling words" with them (happy, excited, calm, refreshed, etc). Write the words down on the board or paper.
6. Ask them to think of their favorite, healthy dinner food, how it feels to eat it, and to think of a movement to show that feeling (see below for ideas).
7. Explain that they will each say the name of their favorite healthy dinner food while they do their movement.
8. You should give the first example. You can say "grilled chicken" as you jump up and down to show "excited."
9. Make your way around the circle. Have the group imitate each student after her or his turn. If a student names a food or drink high in fat or added sugar, gently guide her or him to think of a healthier choice.
10. If time permits, review the foods mentioned and reinforce the importance of eating a healthy dinner every day.

Activity Note

Some movement ideas are:

• To show "full," rub your tummy
• To show "happy," twirl around
• To show "refreshed," stretch your arms high above your head
• To show "fast," pump your arms

Activity Variation

Once every student has had a turn, challenge individual students to repeat the foods and movements of as many students as possible.

Background Information

Healthy ("Go") Dinner and Dessert Foods and Drinks:

fish	pasta with tomato sauce
salad	rice and beans
zucchini	veggie pizza
skim milk	chicken wraps
spinach	turkey burgers
melon	baked potatoes
pears

Less Healthy ("Slow") Dinner Foods and Drinks:

refried beans	fried chicken
hamburgers	General Tso’s chicken
bacon	french fries
creamy soups	fried fish sticks
soft drinks	high fat pepperoni pizza
cookies	sweet & sour chicken
hot dogs