Fourth-graders learn fast food can be healthy

Fourth-graders volunteer to be contestants at the UC CalFresh 'gameshow' What Does MyPlate Say?

UC Cooperative Extension nutrition educators in Tulare County keyed in on that point in time in a play performed for 1,600 fourth-grade students at AgVentures Farm and Nutrition Day, May 23.

The play is a scripted game show titled “What Does MyPlate Say?” which encourages the children to think about the USDA's MyPlate eating guidelines, introduced to them by UC CalFresh educators in their classrooms throughout the year, when they order a fast food meal.

Five “contestants” were selected from the audience and asked to look at a food court menu. The first contestant is asked to select a fruit from the menu, and picks a yogurt parfait. Applause and a chorus of “Healthy, healthy, healthy eyes! Healthy, healthy, healthy skin!” affirm the choice.

The second student is charged with selecting a vegetable in the food court.

“French fries from MickeyC's,” he says. “Potatoes are vegetables, aren't they?”

The brightly dressed host, Sally Strawberry, admits that's true but declares french fries a “sometimes food.” Try again.

The second response, “veggie bowl from Bear Express,” is met with music, bells and applause.

Contestant three is challenged to find whole grains in the food court.

“Turkey on whole wheat from Sideway?” he responds tentatively. “Grains give us strength and energy to play!”

The fourth child to play gets a tricky question. “Can you choose a food that is high in protein but also high in fiber?” asks Sally Strawberry.

“Bean burrito from Beeanie Bell,” the child chimes.

“Muy rico,” Strawberry says. “We now have a fruit, vegetable, whole grains and protein. We just need a drink.”

“Milk, from any place,” the last child says.

See scenes from 2014 AgVentures in Tulare County in the one-minute video below:

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