This month in our final health classes (we wrap up on January 16), students across grades K–6 have been (or will be) learning about nutrition in age-appropriate, meaningful ways. While the content looks different at each level, the big idea is the same: food fuels our bodies, supports our growth, and connects us to culture, family, and community.
My Approach to Nutrition Education
I am passionate about teaching nutrition in a way that is weight-inclusive and supportive of all bodies. I have written previously about the importance of avoiding shame and rigid rules around food.
In Health class, we approach nutrition from an intuitive eating and gentle nutrition perspective—focusing on nourishment, variety, body trust, and care rather than restriction or judgment. The goal is for students to develop a respectful relationship with food and their bodies and to understand that health looks different for different people.
Here’s a look at what each grade level has been (or will be) exploring, starting with our youngest learners:
Kindergarten: Trying New Foods & Food Traditions
Kindergarten students learn about the importance of being willing to try new foods and exploring different tastes and textures. We also talk about food as something that brings people together.
Students will share examples of food traditions from their own lives, such as sharing dessert at a holiday dinner or eating special foods with family. These conversations help reinforce that food is not just fuel—it can also be about culture, celebration, and connection.
Grades 1/2: Eating the Rainbow & Food Safety
First and second graders explored eating the rainbow by enjoying fruits and vegetables of many different colors and learning how those colors help our bodies grow and stay healthy.
We also talked about food allergies: what a food allergy is, why some foods can be unsafe for certain people, how to help keep classmates safe (not sharing food, washing hands, following rules), and when to get help from a trusted adult.
Grades 3/4: Building a Balanced Plate
Third and fourth graders focused on what it means to build a balanced plate and why variety matters. Students learned about the six main nutrients and what each one does for our bodies:
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Carbohydrates – give us energy to move, think, and play
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Protein – helps build and repair muscles and tissues
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Fats – support brain health and long-lasting energy
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Vitamins – help our bodies function properly and stay healthy
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Minerals – support bones, teeth, and many body processes
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Water – keeps everything in our body working smoothly
Students practiced identifying foods that contain different nutrients and learned that no single food does it all—it’s the combination and variety that matters most.
Grades 5/6: Food Labels & Body Awareness
Fifth and sixth graders learned about how food packaging works. We discussed how the front of packages often use colors, images, and language to make foods seem more nutritious than they may be, and how the Nutrition Facts label on the back is required by law to include specific, standardized information.
Students also participated in age-appropriate lessons about eating disorders, focusing on body respect, awareness, and the importance of seeking help from trusted adults or health professionals when needed.
A Lifelong Skill
Across all grade levels, nutrition lessons were about more than just food—they were about listening to our bodies, caring for ourselves, and helping keep others safe. These are skills students can carry with them well beyond Health class and into everyday life.
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