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    Home » Early Years Science » Food Groups

    Food Groups

    Modified: May 2, 2023 · Published: Jun 8, 2012 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Looking at food groups is such a fun thing to do. It gives children a real insight into the types of food they eat, and you can use it as an opportunity for taste testing.

    For younger children, you can introduce food groups in terms of what they are: There are five basic groups.

    food group diagram , showing fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, sugar, bread and milk and dairy

    Then on an old plate or paper plate, divide it into five with a whiteboard pen board pen and label as the groups – this will easily wash off, and using the sheets below cut out the foods and add them to the plate portion you think they belong too.

    Food groups work sheet

    You can then ask your child which ones they would like to try and maybe plan a trip to the shop to purchase and hold a little tasting session.

    Moving forward with older children, you can then introduce the nutrient food groups.

    There are seven basic nutrient food groups. These include:

    Basic food groups

    Each group is needed by the body for different reasons and can be found in different types of foods.

    I have included this table for you to use in a sheet below.

    Food groups Table

    Food Groups, Science Sparks

    Food Group Activity

    Take an empty muffin tin, and in each of segment put a different type of food.

    Muffin tray filled with different types of foods for a food group activity

    Make some flags using cocktail sticks and paper and label each one with a letter to represent the food group.

    Flags made from toothpicks and paper for a food group sorting activity

    Discuss each food describing how it looks and maybe taste it to see if that gives any clues – is it rich or grainy or smooth like dairy? Then stick a flag into the food that it belongs to!

    Food Groups, Science-sparks

    Finally, you could then print out the table above, chop it up and use it as a card for a revision exercise.

    Have Fun

    Kerry

    Last Updated on May 2, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

    « Why can you see a rainbow in bubbles?
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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MsXpat

      June 10, 2012 at 1:03 pm

      This sets me back a few years to primary school. Great post! It good information to the public to be reminded of and for kids to learn early. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        June 10, 2012 at 9:34 pm

        Thanks, glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Carrie

      June 15, 2012 at 2:16 am

      What a wonderful idea!! You always have such inspiring activities on here. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        June 16, 2012 at 8:34 am

        Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jim

      October 15, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      Un usefull

      Reply
    4. Lucy

      January 20, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD

      Reply
    5. Jeremy

      October 18, 2017 at 9:37 am

      love this website! really thoughtful ideas!

      Reply
    6. Josh Gunner

      October 18, 2017 at 9:39 am

      Love this website should add some more ideas because i’m mentally disabled

      Reply

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