NAME ____________________________________ PER. _____
MY PYRAMID COMPUTER LAB DIRECTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Get on the internet. Log on to www.mypyramid.gov
On the home page, notice the picture of the pyramid labeled “Steps to
a Healthier You”. Scroll down to “Spotlights”.
Click on “Tour My Pyramid”.
Choose PC or Mac User.
Give the animation time to load. Then, listen to and watch the
animation.
The food groups are color-coded.
Orange is for
___________________________.
Green is for
___________________________.
Red is for
___________________________.
Blue is for
____________________________.
Purple is for
____________________________.
Yellow is for
____________________________.
Why are some colored bands wider than the others?
________________________________________________________
The steps remind us to _____________________ everyday.
How many different pyramids are there? _______
The pyramid that is just right for you depends on how many ________
you need and how ____________ you are.
6.
View the animation over again if needed in order to answer the above
questions.
7.
Go back to the home page. Look to the right and find “My Pyramid
Plan”.
8.
Enter your age ____ (write it here too.)
Select your sex: circle male / female
Select your physical activity: circle
Less than 30 minutes
30 to 60 minutes
More than 60 minutes
At this time, do not enter your weight or height. Click “submit”.
9.
Now the computer has selected, out of the 12 pyramid plans, the one
that is correct for you. Look above the colored chart and fill in the blank
in this statement:
“This plan is a ________ calorie food pattern.”
How much food from each food group does the chart say you should
have each day?
Grains _____________ oz.
Vegetables _________ cups
Fruits _____________ cups
Milk _______________ cups
Meat & Beans _______ oz.
Notice below the chart are your goals for the different types of grains
and vegetables to eat.
Look at the yellow band for Oils and Discretionary Calories. Fill in the
blank to complete this statement:
“Limit your extras (extra fats and sugars) to __________ Calories.”
10.
Go back to the home page. Again, look to the right and find “My
Pyramid Plan”. You will do this part again but this time enter your
weight and height.
11.
Enter your age ____ (write it here too.)
Select your sex: circle male / female
Enter your weight _____ pounds (write it here too.)
Enter your height ____ feet, ____ inches (write it here too.)
Select your physical activity: circle
Less than 30 minutes
30 to 60 minutes
More than 60 minutes
Click “submit”.
12.
Does a message appear that starts with “Please Note…”? ____
If no, copy your requirements below in step 13.
If yes, does it say your weight is lower / higher (circle one) than may be
healthy for your age and height? Click at the right to see your food
plan.
13.
Look above the colored chart and fill in the blank in this statement:
“This plan is a ________ calorie food pattern.”
How much food from each food group does the chart say you should
have each day?
Grains _____________ oz.
Vegetables _________ cups
Fruits _____________ cups
Milk _______________ cups
Meat & Beans _______ oz.
Below the chart are your goals for the different types of grains and
vegetables to eat.
Look at the yellow band for Oils and Discretionary Calories. Fill in the
blank to complete this statement:
“Limit your extras (extra fats and sugars) to __________ Calories.”
14.
Compare your findings from step 9 to step 13. Are the numbers the
same? yes / no (circle one)
15.
If no, do they allow you to eat more or less food than your first data?
yes / no (circle one)
According to the scientists, the second time you did this, with your
weight and height is considered more accurate.
16.
To the right of the screen (under the picture), click on the 3 triangle
bullets under “View, Print, and Learn More.”
See what is in each section but do not print anything!
17.
Go back to the Home Page. In the blue box to the left, click on “For
Professionals”. Scroll down. Near the bottom, click on Mini Poster
[PDF]. Look at both pages of the poster but do not print.
18.
Go back to the Home Page. Scroll down. Select “Inside the Pyramid”.
19.
Click on the orange band. Fill in the following spaces.
Grains: Make ________ your grains ____________.
Click on “Learn More”. Scroll down.
List 3 of your favorite foods from the grain group.
________________, _________________, _____________________
Click on “View Grains Food Gallery”. Click on next to view the pictures
of the foods.
20.
Close the food gallery and go back and click on the green band. Fill in
the following spaces.
Vegetables: ______________ your veggies.
Click on “Learn More”. Scroll down.
List 3 of your favorite foods from the vegetable group.
________________, _________________, _____________________
Click on “View Vegetables Food Gallery”. Click on next to view the
pictures of the foods.
21.
Go back and click on the red band. Fill in the following spaces.
Fruits: _______________on fruits.
Click on “Learn More”. Scroll down.
List 3 of your favorite foods from the fruit group.
________________, _________________, _____________________
Click on “View Fruits Food Gallery”. Click on next to view the pictures
of the foods.
22.
Go back and click on the blue band. Fill in the following spaces.
Milk: Get your _________________-rich foods.
Click on “Learn More”. Scroll down.
List 3 of your favorite foods from the milk group.
________________, _________________, _____________________
Click on “View Milk Food Gallery”. Click on next to view the pictures of
the foods.
23.
Go back and click on the purple band. Fill in the following spaces.
Meat and Beans: Go lean on ______________.
Click on “Learn More”. Scroll down.
List 3 of your favorite foods from the meat and beans group.
________________, _________________, _____________________
Click on “View Meat and Beans Food Gallery”. Click on next to view
the pictures of the foods.
24.
Go back and click on the yellow band. Fill in the following spaces.
Oils: Know your _______________.
Click on “Learn More”. Scroll down.
List one type of oil ______________________.
List one food naturally high in oil __________________.
List one common solid fat _______________________.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are well on your way to knowing all about My
Pyramid! You could spend more time in the website to find out even more…BUT
WAIT!!! By now, you should have learned:
 The name of each food group and its color in the pyramid.
 Some common foods in each group.
 Approximately how many calories YOU need each day to
maintain your present weight.
 How much food from each food group you need each day.
 How many discretionary Calories you can have each day.
 Why the pyramid picture has a person walking up the stairs.
IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME, LOOK AROUND IN THE MYPYRAMID WEBSITE
OR GO TO THE HOME PAGE AND PLAY THE “MYPYRAMID BLAST-OFF”
GAME (purple section halfway down on the right of the home page).
FACS-M-NW-1-NUTRITION, M-NW-2-FOOD AND WELLNESS ISSUES