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Fairfield Refugee Nutrition Project

Food pyramid

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LESSON PLAN FOOD PYRAMID Background The diet of many people from refugee backgrounds is very sound; however prior learning relating to nutrition is not a common experience. The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide a framework for nutrition learning and disease prevention. Information on healthy eating provides a context within which refugees can evaluate the place of new and unfamiliar foods and drinks, especially those high in fat and sugar1. Messages Eat most fruit, vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains Eat moderately meats, chicken, fish, and dairy Eat little sweets, tea, coffee, sugars and oils No Salt Drink water Topic Food pyramid and food groups Focus Questions

What is the food pyramid and the correct proportions for healthy eating?

What does healthy eating look like?

Are my family and I eating a balanced diet, like the food pyramid?

Learning Experiences

Competency Activity Resources

Food pyramid and food groups

- Group leader discusses the concept of the healthy food pyramid.

- Draw a large pyramid and divide into three; eat little, eat some, eat most.

- Discuss how all foods fit into the pyramid and are a guide to healthy eating.

- White board or butchers paper and marker.

Comprehension - Pre evaluation; participants individually complete a food pyramid exercise by drawing a line from the food item pictures to the place they think it belongs within the food pyramid.

- Pre-evaluation form www.refugeehealth.nsw.gov.au.

Food pyramid and food groups

- Participant’s are given pictures of different food items and asked to place them in the section of food pyramid which they think they belong (‘eat most’, ‘eat some’ or ‘eat little’).

- Discuss as a group the placement of each of the food item.

- Group leader changes food items to align with guidelines and discusses the recommendations for each food group

- Food item cut-outs www.refugeehealth.org.au, or food cards www.rph.wa.gov.au/hpnetwork/GFNA/Goodfood.htm.

- A3 Australian Guide to Healthy Eating www.health.gov.au

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and their nutritional benefits/ problems.

Comprehension - Post evaluation; participants individually complete a food pyramid exercise by drawing a line from the food item pictures to the place they think it belongs within the food pyramid.

- Post-evaluation form www.refugeehealth.nsw.gov.au.

Comprehension and learning

- Discuss the difference in their evaluation exercise and what they have found most interesting.

Review Questions

What will you do to eat the right amount of the right type of foods? How can you help your children to eat like the food pyramid? What are the challenges to eating like the food pyramid? Discuss as a group strategies for change. Evaluation Participants individually complete a food pyramid exercise by drawing a line from the food item pictures to the place they think it belongs within the food pyramid. This evaluation form is completed before and after the education session.

Other resources and lessons

1. From ‘Easing the Transition’, p36, ‘Conveying information about healthy eating- The healthy food pyramid’. www.foundationhouse.com.au

2. Australian Dietary Guidelines, NHMRC

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/dietsyn.htm

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Fairfield Refugee Nutrition

Number of children aged 0 to 1 years ________________________ Number of children aged 2 to 5 years

Female or Male

Food Pyramid (1) Pyramid (1) Pyramid (1) Pyramid (1)

Q1Q1Q1Q1 This is the Australian healthy eating pyramid. Draw a line to put the foods in

the right place.

EAT LEAST

EAT SOME

EAT MOST

BUTT COFFMEA

FIS

CHICK

SPINA

TOMAT

Potat

Pea

Banana

Ric

Brea

Spaghe

6

OIL

COFFEE

TEA

BUTTER

7

CHEES

EGG

8

CHICKEN

MEAT

FISH FIS

9

LETTUCE

SPINACH

TOMAT

10

MUSHROOMS

Nuts

Lentils

Pear

Potato

11

Apple

Orange

Banana

12

Spaghetti

Rice

Bread

Pasta

13

CARRO

PEAS

Grapes

Bean

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Fairfield Refugee Nutrition Project

Food Pyramid (2) Pyramid (2) Pyramid (2) Pyramid (2) Q1Q1Q1Q1 This is the Australian healthy eating pyramid. Draw a line to put the foods in

the right place.

EAT LEAST

EAT SOME

EAT MOST

BUTTER COFFEE

CHEESE

MEAT

FISH

CHICKEN

SPINACH

TOMATO

Potato

Pear

Banana

Rice

Bread

Spaghetti

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Q2Q2Q2Q2 How would you rate the talk today? (Circle your answer)

Overall Communication Information