OPH Healthy Eating Book List for Children
Registered Dietitians at Ottawa Public Health reviewed a variety of children’s books to create a list of books that promote healthy eating messages consistent with current nutrition recommendations. The result is this list of books for children that focus on food – growing, preparing and eating. The books are available to borrow at Ottawa Public Libraries.
Kindergarten Program & Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Expectations (2019):
- JK/SK:
- 6.1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of healthy, active living on the mind and body
- 6.2 - Investigate the benefits of nutritious foods
- 11. - Demonstrate an understanding and critical awareness of a variety of written materials that are read by and with their educators
- Grade 1:
- D1.1 - Food for healthy bodies and minds
- D2.2 - Hunger and thirst cues
- Grade 2:
- D1.2 - Food allergies
- D2.1 - Healthy eating patterns
- D2.2 - Food choices (snacks, meals)
- Grade 3:
- D1.1 - Food origins, nutritional value, and environmental impact
- D2.1 - Oral health, food choices
- D3.1 - Local and cultural foods, eating choices
BrightBites
BrightBites.ca is a trusted, evidence-based website created by Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. It’s designed to help educators create a positive, inclusive school environment where students can develop healthy relationships with food and their bodies.
Explore:
- Curriculum-aligned activities for Grades K–12
- Ideas and tools to create supportive school food environments
- Practical guides for navigating sensitive situations with care
BrightBites empowers you to talk positively about food, promote body inclusivity, and respect the roles of families, educators, and students in eating. Whether you're planning a lesson or leading a school initiative, BrightBites is here to support you.
Watch the “Welcome to BrightBites!” video to learn more about this resource and download this one-page overview of BrightBites to share with your school community!
Kindergarten Program & Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Expectations (2019):
- JK/SK:
- 6.1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of healthy, active living on the mind and body
- 6.2 - Investigate the benefits of nutritious foods
- Grade 1:
- D1.1 - Food for healthy bodies and minds
- D2.1 - Canada’s Food Guide
- D2.2 - Hunger and thirst cues
- Grade 2:
- D2.1 - Healthy eating patterns
- D2.2 - Food choices (snacks, meals)
- Grade 3:
- D1.1 - Food origins, nutritional value, and environmental impact
- D2.1 - Oral health, food choices
- D3.1 - Local and cultural foods, eating choices
Food is Science
Food is Science is a hands-on tool for teaching science through food. It includes experiential, evidence-based resources and lesson plans to help educators understand and teach new food literacy learning in Ontario’s Science and Technology Curriculum.
Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Expectations (2019):
- Grade 3:
- D1.1 - Food origins, nutritional value, and environmental impact
- D3.1 - Local and cultural foods, eating choices
Freggie Tales
Freggie Tales is a children’s program to encourage consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Includes lesson plans and interactive online games for students.
Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Expectations (2019):
- Grade 1:
- D1.1 - Food for healthy bodies and minds
- D2.1 - Canada’s Food Guide
- D2.2 - Hunger and thirst cues
- Grade 2:
- D2.1 - Healthy eating patterns
- D2.2 - Food choices (snacks, meals)
- Grade 3:
- D1.1 - Food origins, nutritional value, and environmental impact
- D2.1 - Oral health, food choices
- D3.1 - Local and cultural foods, eating choices
Growing Chefs! in Ontario Lesson Plans
Curriculum-linked lesson plans, activities & resources for teachers and homeschoolers. These new Growing Chefs! Lesson Plans are designed to offer safe ways to continue learning about food while teachers and students are navigating at home and in school adjusted learning structures while aiding students in meeting Learning Expectations cited in the Ontario Elementary School Curriculum.
Subjects include: Exploring food, food systems, value of food and taste like a chef.
Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Expectations (2019):
- Grades 1-3:
- D1. - Understanding Health Concepts
- D2. - Making Healthy Choices
- D3. - Making Connections for Healthy Living
Media Smarts: Food Marketing
The Media Smarts Food Marketing lesson plans and resources were created for teachers to educate students on understanding food advertising and how this may influence their food choices.
Kindergarten Program & Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Expectations (2019):
- JK/SK:
- 6.2 - Investigate the benefits of nutritious foods
- 12. - Demonstrate an understanding and critical awareness of media texts
- Grade 1:
- D1.1 - Food for healthy bodies and minds
- Grade 2:
- D2.1 - Healthy eating patterns
- D2.2 - Food choices (snacks, meals)
- Grade 3:
- D1.1 - Food origins, nutritional value, and environmental impact
- D2.1 - Oral health, food choices
Teaching Canada's Food Guide
This toolkit for educators was developed to support intermediaries in activities with children to help them learn food skills, develop healthy eating patterns and to understand Canada’s Food Guide.
The activities for children aged 4-6 years old will help them name different foods, group different foods and use their senses to identify foods. The activities for children aged 7 and 8 years old will help them practice growing food, explore the importance of water and learn about different cultures and food traditions. These activities support children in experiencing and exploring foods which are part of Canada’s Food Guide.
Looking for more?
Additional resources that are not grade-specific but still appropriate for this grade can be found in the Additional Resources section.
