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How do I integrate nutrition education into PE?

This is an excerpt from Physical Best 5th Edition With HKPropel Access by Jayne D. Greenberg,Joe Deutsch.

By Michelina (Mickey) Witte

Integrating nutrition education into physical education does not require a separate, formal, classroom lesson; many concepts can be taught through active, engaging games and movement-based experiences. In addition to structured activities available through HKPropel, educators can incorporate informal and creative lessons that reinforce key nutrition principles while keeping students moving. Consider the following examples:

• Food group relay. Students race in teams to collect and sort food cards into the correct MyPlate food groups. Each team member runs to the center, grabs a card, and places it on their team’s plate or board under the correct category (e.g., fruits, vegetables, grains, protein). This reinforces food classification and encourages teamwork and aerobic activity.
• Macronutrient tag. In this game of tag, students wear colored wristbands representing carbohydrates, protein, or fat. “It” players are labeled as body functions (e.g., energy use, muscle repair, or long-term storage). When tagged, students must perform a movement (e.g., jumping jacks) related to their macronutrient role before rejoining the game. This activity builds awareness of the functions of different nutrients.
• Vitamin and mineral circuit. Set up stations around the gym, each representing a vitamin or mineral (e.g., calcium, iron, or vitamin D). At each station, post a sign explaining the nutrient’s role and include a related movement challenge (e.g., jump rope for calcium = strong bones). Students rotate in small groups while reviewing key nutrition facts through movement and repetition.
• Fuel for thought. Set up multiple cones or bases labeled with answer choices (A, B, C, D). Ask a nutrition trivia question (e.g., “Which of the following is high in vitamin C?”), and students sprint to the cone that represents their answer. Debrief after each round with a short explanation. This activity builds quick recall and reinforces correct information through movement.
• Grocery basket toss. Using beanbags or foam balls labeled with food names, students toss items into “grocery baskets” labeled with food groups or nutrient categories. For added challenge, ask students to create a balanced snack or meal by tossing one item into each of the key groups. This reinforces balance, variety, and mindful food selection.

These informal activities combine movement with meaningful nutrition learning, reinforcing Physical Best principles while keeping students active, engaged, and having fun. They can be adapted across grade levels and integrated into warm-ups, stations, or cool-downs to strengthen the connection between what students eat and how their bodies move.

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Encouraging Heart Health

In physical education classes, teachers can help students make the connection between movement, nutrition, and heart health in a variety of creative and age-appropriate ways. For instance, during warm-ups, the teacher might incorporate a heart check-in, where students reflect on how exercise strengthens the heart, while healthy foods fuel the pump. Or for a classroom activity, students sort food images into “everyday foods” (heart-healthy) and “sometimes foods” (higher in saturated fat or sodium), emphasizing balance rather than restriction. The teacher can also lead conversations about what it means to be strong and healthy rather than focusing on weight or appearance. Teaching students that fitness and food choices affect how their bodies function—not just how they look—helps build a body-positive and health-forward mindset.

Collaboration with classroom teachers and cafeteria staff can reinforce heart-healthy messages throughout the school day. For example, a school-wide Healthy Heart Week could feature taste tests of lower-sodium foods, fitness challenges during physical education, and morning announcements that highlight simple tips like choosing water over soda or swapping out chips for fruit. By integrating these messages into the physical education curriculum, the educator is doing more than teaching sports and fitness—they are equipping students with the knowledge and motivation they need to make informed choices about their health for years to come. Preventing heart disease starts early, and physical education teachers are an essential part of that prevention team.

More Excerpts From Physical Best 5th Edition With HKPropel Access

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