MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You
Lesson Overview
Lesson Participants: School Nutrition Assistants/Technicians
Type of Lesson: Short face-to-face training session
Time Needed to Conduct the Lesson: 20 minutes
Lesson Description: This lesson is designed to introduce and explain the graphic for
MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You. It will provide specific information about the new
graphic and a brief explanation of the significance of each part of the design. The U. S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers guidance on implementing the recommendations from
the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. This information is vital to the menu planning
process and for providing nutrition and health education.
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
1. Identify MyPyramid as the symbol for nutrition and health education.
2. Discuss the messages of MyPyramid.
Get Ready to Train
NOTE: This lesson should be taught following the lesson on the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans 2005 and should serve as an introduction to the other lessons on MyPyramid – Steps
to a Healthier You.
The format for the No Time to Train lessons includes an overview, preparation checklist, lesson
at a glance with timeline for conducting the lesson, references, and an instructor’s script. The
manager/instructor will use the script to present the lesson to the participants. The script gives
directions to the manager/instructor—DO, SAY, ASK, LISTEN, AND ACTIVITY—to deliver
the lesson.
No special audiovisual or electronic equipment is needed to conduct the lesson. The lesson can
be presented in the cafeteria, media center, or classroom.
No Time To Train – Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You
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Preparation Checklist
Directions: Use the Preparation Checklist to prepare for the training session. Track your
progress by checking off tasks as they are completed.
Done
Lesson Tasks
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Gather Materials
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Materials Needed:
 Instructor’s Script
 Handout 1: MyPyramid (one for each participant)
 Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity (one for each participant)
 Pencils (one for each participant)
 Flip chart easel with pad and markers
 Session Evaluation form (one for each participant)
Prepare for Lesson
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Before the Training:
 Make copies of Handout 1: MyPyramid (one for each participant).
 Make copies of Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity (one for each participant).
 Make copies of Session Evaluation form (one for each participant).
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On Training Day:
 Place pencils on tables (one for each participant).
 Place flip chart easel with pad and markers in front of training room.
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On the Instructor’s Table:
 Instructor’s Script
 Handout 1: MyPyramid
 Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity
 Session Evaluation forms
No Time To Train – Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You
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Lesson at a Glance
(20 minutes)
Time
2 minutes
10 minutes
5 minutes
3 minutes
Topic
Introduction and
Overview
Objective 1: Identify
MyPyramid as the
symbol for nutrition and
health education.
Objective 2: Discuss the
messages of
MyPyramid.
Wrap up, Activity, and
Review
Session Evaluation
Task
Instructor introduces
MyPyramid.
Instructor introduces and
explains the graphicMyPyramid.
Instructor also provides a
brief explanation of the
significance of each part of
the design.
Instructor leads a discussion
on the matching activity
completed using Handout 2.
Participants brainstorm ways
they can introduce and
reinforce MyPyramid to
students and faculty. Ideas are
written on a flip chart.
Instructor encourages
participants to make
suggestions and comments.
Conduct a short evaluation of
the lesson.
Materials
Instructor’s Script
Handout 1:
MyPyramid
Instructor’s Script
Handout 2:
MyPyramid Activity
Flip chart easel, pad,
and markers
Session Evaluation
form
References:
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. (2005). Dietary
guidelines for Americans. Retrieved September 29, 2008, from
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Dietaryguidelines.htm
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (n.d.). Team nutrition: Resources
a-z. Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/library.html
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (2000). The school environment:
Helping students learn to eat healthy. Retrieved September 24, 2008, from
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/helpingstudents.html
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (2005). MyPyramid.gov. Retrieved
September 24, 2008, from http://www.MyPyramid.gov
No Time To Train – Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You
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U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (2008). Fact sheets for healthier
school meals. Retrieved September 24, 2008, from
http://www.mypyramidforkids.gov/Resources/dgfactsheet_hsm.html
No Time To Train – Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
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Instructor’s Script
SAY:
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 and MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier
You both serve as a food guidance system for nutrition education. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed MyPyramid to symbolize a
personalized approach to healthy eating and physical activity. The symbol has been
designed to be simple. Its purpose is to remind consumers to make healthy food
choices and to be active every day. The different parts of the symbol represent key
terms: activity, moderation, personalization, proportionality, variety, and gradual
improvement.
Let me introduce to you MyPyramid.
DO:
Distribute Handout 1: MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You.
SAY:
MyPyramid is a colorful and detailed graphic. It was developed to be a motivational
tool to remind people to make healthy food choices. It allows you to personalize and
serve as an aid in planning diets for every person. MyPyramid also reminds people to
be physically active every day.
Notice that the pyramid is divided into 6 different colors. Each color represents a
different food group. Orange represents the grain group. Green represents the
vegetables. Red represents fruits. Yellow represents oils. Blue represents the milk
group and purple represents meat and beans.
These groupings and colors illustrate that foods from all groups are needed each day
for good health.
Look on the back of Handout 1. It discusses the Anatomy of MyPyramid.
The pyramid symbolizes the need for variety in our diets. We should eat from each of
these groups every day. Variety is a key term when using MyPyramid.
You’ll notice that the widths of the color bands for the different groups vary in size.
Some are not as wide as others. This symbolizes proportionality. These widths are a
general guide and not exact proportions. They are a good illustration to remind us to
eat more from some groups and less from others. Remember that the widths of the
bands symbolize proportionality, indicating how much food a person should choose
from each group.
ASK:
What do you see in the MyPyramid that might symbolize moderation? Moderation is
No Time To Train – Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
MyPyramid – Steps to a Healthier You
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another of our key terms.
LISTEN:
Pause for a moment to allow participants to think and respond.
SAY:
Moderation is represented by the narrowing of each food group from the bottom of
the pyramid to the top. The base is wider and represents foods with little or no solid
fats or added sugars. These should be selected more often. The narrower top areas
represent foods that contain added sugars and solid fats. The more active you are the
more of these foods you can eat.
Do you see the slogan, ―Steps to a Healthier You,‖ written under the pyramid along
with a Web site that you can visit to find additional information? This slogan indicates
that gradual improvement is encouraged.
―Steps‖ means that you must develop a plan, implement the plan, revise the plan, and
keep going until you reach your optimal state. When we look at the symbol as a
whole, it illustrates personalization. Personalization is another of our key terms.
The person climbing the steps, the slogan, and the URL for the Web site serve to
remind us that there is help available. On this web site, you will find tools that can
help you personalize your diet and exercise plan. Just one small step at a time will
improve your diet, lifestyle, and grow a healthier YOU!
ASK:
When I say activity, what comes to your mind?
LISTEN:
Pause for a moment to allow participants to think and respond.
SAY:
Activity is the movement of the body that uses energy. To be beneficial, physical
activity should be moderate or vigorous. Moderate physical activity would be walking
briskly (about 3 ½ miles per hour), hiking, gardening or yard work, dancing, playing
golf (walking and carrying clubs), briskly pushing a baby stroller, riding a bike at less
than 10 miles per hour, or a light workout with weights.
Vigorous physical activities would be running or jogging at about 5 miles per hour,
riding a bike at more than 10 miles per hour, swimming freestyle laps, aerobics,
walking very fast, heavy yard work, vigorous weight lifting, or playing competitive
basketball.
Getting your heart pumping is the best physical activity.
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ASK:
What do you see in this new design that would remind you to include physical activity
in your daily routine?
LISTEN:
Pause for a moment to allow participants to think and respond.
SAY:
Of course, it is the person climbing the stairs that represents the importance of daily
Activity. This is a key word. Each person should find their balance between food and
physical activity.
Everyone should try to be physically active at least 30 minutes most days. To prevent
weight gain, you should be physically active for about 60 minutes most days. Children
and teenagers should be more active for about 60 minutes during most days.
ACTIVITY:
Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity
DO:
Ask participants to look at Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity.
SAY:
Use Handout 1: MyPyramid to complete Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity. While
completing this activity, brainstorm ways to introduce MyPyramid to students and
faculty. You have 2-3 minutes to complete the handout, and then, we will discuss your
answers.
ASK:
Who wants to volunteer to give the answers to the activity and discuss their ideas to
introduce MyPyramid to students and faculty?
LISTEN:
Pause for a moment to allow participants to think and respond.
DO:
Go over the answers to MyPramid Activity. Tell the participants the answers are
upside down on Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity in the lower left hand corner.
The answers are: 1.e; 2. a; 3.f.; 4. c.; 5. g.; 6. b.; 7. d. Record suggested ways to
introduce MyPyramid to students and faculty on the flip chart.
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SAY:
Now, let’s think for just a moment about how we can make our customers aware of
MyPyramid and what types of things we can do to encourage them to make wise food
selections. Let’s make a list of ways we can introduce MyPyramid to our students and
faculty.
DO:
Guide discussion of comments as needed. One suggestion might be to place the
colorful poster in the dining area where customers can see it. Ask participants to
locate a very visible area in the dining room to display the MyPyramid poster. The
poster is available at http://www.MyPyramid.gov.
ASK:
Are there any other comments or questions about MyPyramid?
LISTEN:
Listen to individual responses. Answer questions to the best of your ability. If there
are questions you can’t answer, tell the participants you will find out the answer and
let them know later. If you need assistance in finding answers, please call the National
Food Service Management Institute at 800-321-3054.
SAY:
USDA developed MyPyramid to symbolize a personalized approach to healthy eating
and physical activity. The symbol has been designed to be simple. Its purpose is to
remind consumers to make healthy food choices and to be active every day.
DO:
Distribute the Session Evaluation form.
SAY:
Thank you for participating in the lesson today. Please take a few minutes to complete
the Session Evaluation form. Thank you for your input
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Handout 1: MyPyramid
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Handout 1: MyPyramid (continued)
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Handout 2: MyPyramid Activity
Use Handout 1: MyPyramid to complete Handout 2. Match the following six
color bands and the person climbing steps with their corresponding food groups
and daily recommended amounts. Differing widths of the color bands suggest
about how much food should be eaten from each category.
1.
Orange band
a) Meat & Beans
(5 ½ oz. every day)
2.
Purple band
b) Vegetables
(2 ½ cups every day)
3.
Yellow band
c) Milk
(3 cups every day)
4.
Blue band
d) Physical Activity
(important for
everyday healthy
living)
5.
Red band
e) Grains
(6 oz. every day)
6.
Green band
f) Fats, Sugars, and
Salt (limit intake)
7.
Person climbing
steps
g) Fruits
(2 cups every day)
No Time To Train – Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
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No Time To Train –Short Lessons for School Nutrition Assistants
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