Eat balanced meals — follow a plate model
![Image of protein, fruit, and vegetable on a plate](/sites/default/files/2024-03/fit-kit-protein-fruit-vegetable.png)
What is a balanced meal?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are meals. A balanced meal has the right proportions of healthy foods to give your body the energy and nutrients it needs — to keep you feeling good! When building balanced meals, imagine a plate divided into sections for different food groups. Think “1-2-3-+.”
![Balanced-meal plate model](/sites/default/files/2022-06/new-balance-nutrition-plate-model-graphic-2.png)
1. Fill about half your plate with non-starchy vegetables or fruits. These are green/go foods.
2. Add protein.
3. Add beans, a starchy vegetable, or a whole grain. Beans are green/go foods. Starchy vegetables and whole grains are yellow/be careful foods.
+: Drizzle, sprinkle, or spread a dollop of healthy fat.
![Image of what's in a balanced breakfast](/sites/default/files/media_migration/db2aa2d4-1f66-4928-a091-0ffffbc63fd1.jpg)
Breakfast example
1) mixed berries
2) egg
3) whole-wheat toast
+) sliced avocado
![Image of what's in a balanced lunch](/sites/default/files/media_migration/7ff5644c-48b0-418e-accc-e2ca02af3467.jpg)
Lunch example
1) carrots, celery, and an apple
2) cheddar cheese
3) whole-grain crackers
+) ranch dressing (for dipping carrots and celery)
![Image of what's in a balanced dinner](/sites/default/files/media_migration/42755abc-fd77-4ee4-a4b8-6d6269c99388.jpg)
Dinner example
1) salad greens and fresh fruit
2) grilled chicken breast
3) sweet potato
+) Italian dressing
Some foods do not fit nicely on a plate — like stir fries, yogurt parfaits, smoothies, soups, and casseroles. That’s OK; still think “1-2-3-+” to create a balanced meal.
Recipes in the Boston Children’s fit kit show how to do this.
Create your own balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner using our follow-a-plate model worksheet. Download the worksheet
People who use trackers are more likely to follow the fit kit Low-Glycemic Diet. Try it! Download our nutrition tracker
Check out the recipes in Boston Children's fit kit Cooking. Download the cookbook