Resource: Idaho Plate Method

The Idaho Plate Method (referenced in SHA Jan. 2005) is a visual tool for meal planning developed by University of Idaho dietitians who adapted a Swedish model. The nutrition education tool helps clinicians with clients who do not read well or have difficulty with measuring or weighing (ounces) food items.

The Plate Method divides a nine-inch plate into sections: one quarter for meat, fish, or other protein, another quarter for bread/grain/starch (including starchy vegetables such as potato and corn), and half for vegetables. Adding a piece of fruit the size of a tennis ball and an 8-ounce glass of milk on the side creates a lunch or dinner meal that implements the Food Guide Pyramid.

The website,  www.platemethod.com , outlines applications in dietetic counseling for weight control or diabetes. An educational kit with materials in English and/or Spanish written at the fourth grade level can be purchased.

For an integrated health-art lesson, students can create poster paper place mats and mark on paper plates showing one half and two quarter-sections. They can make up meal menus using food models, pictures, drawings or computer labels that fit the plate model and indicate their fruit choice and (low-fat) milk on the place mat. —J.O.