Healthy Plate

What your child learns

• The four parts of a healthy plate: grains (rice, bread, noodles), protein (eggs, fish, meat, shrimp, tofu), vegetables and fruit
• Spotting a balanced meal that has something from all four parts
• Knowing which choice is better for teeth and body: water or soda, an apple or candy
• Seeing sweets and fried foods not as "bad food" but as sometimes foods

How to play

1. Press "Play now". At first, drag each food onto the right part of the plate, or tap a food and then a part of the plate. On a computer, use Tab and Enter.
2. Put a food in the wrong part and it bounces back while the game says which part it belongs in; miss again and the right part blinks.
3. Later, pick the more balanced of two trays, then pick what is better for your teeth or body (keys 1–2).
4. Fill a whole plate without a mistake, or choose right the first time, to earn a star.

For parents

• Like MyPlate, the plate has four parts: grains, protein, vegetables and fruit; milk appears as a drink beside the plate. There is no fats part yet, since young children mix it up easily.
• Only foods with a clear place on the plate are used. Potatoes, corn, tomatoes, peanuts, beans, milk and mixed dishes like pho are left off the plate because people sort them differently.
• The game never talks about weight or body shape and never calls a food "bad". You can use the same words at home: "Candy is a sometimes treat".
• At mealtime, ask "Do we have grains, protein, vegetables and fruit today?" and let your child check.