Colorful and

Classic Favorites

Eating more fruits and vegetables is 

easy when participants add them to 

“classics” – traditional dishes you already 

enjoy eating. Session 3

Eat Smart, Live Strong

Nutrition Education for Older Adults

United States Department of Agriculture
Session 3

Welcome!

Each session includes a handout that 

describes four physical activity exercises. 

With an extra 10 minutes before and after 

each session, you may lead participants in 

these exercises as a “warm-up” and/or a 

“cool-down.”

The four sessions in this kit are:

Session 1 Reach Your Goals, Step by Step

Session 2 Challenges and Solutions

Session 3 Colorful and Classic Favorites

Session 4 Eat Smart, Spend Less

Each session is designed to address specific

ways to help participants adopt the behaviors. 

To learn more about the behaviors, please 

see the Eat Smart, Live Strong Leader’s 

Guide.

You can use the session guides “as is” or 

tailor them to meet your group’s needs. 

Refer to the Leader’s Guide for tips on 

adjusting the session to meet the needs of 

your audience. The sessions are designed 

to flow together, each session further 

reinforcing the key behavioral messages. 

However, you can use the sessions as 

stand-alone pieces if you do not have the 

opportunity to provide all four.

Enjoy!

The sessions are meant to be fun for you – the group leader – and for the participants.

Welcome to Eat Smart, Live Strong. This is one of four fun, social, and 

interactive sessions. The Eat Smart, Live Strong sessions are designed to 

help older adults adopt two behaviors that may improve their health 

and overall well-being. The two behaviors are:

 Eat at least 31/

2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day

 (11/

2 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables) 

 Participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical 

 activity most days

1

2
Colorful and Classic Favorites

Objectives for Session 3

n Name at least three traditional dishes 

that are more nutritious with an added 

fruit or vegetable.

Session Overview

n Participants have a chance to practice 

four simple exercises in an optional 

10-minute physical activity “warm-up.”

n In the session:

• The group reviews the two behaviors 

and their benefits.

• Participants report on progress 

toward their goals.

• Using colorful photos of “classic 

favorites” – dishes they already know 

and like – participants suggest a fruit 

or vegetable to add to the classic dish.

• The leader passes out recipe cards 

and lets participants taste a classic 

dish with an added vegetable. 

n Taste a traditional dish with an added 

fruit or vegetable.

If conditions allow, participants may 

help to prepare the dish they will 

sample.

• Participants briefly talk about a recipe 

they would like to try in the next 

week and ways they will continue to 

increase their physical activity.

• Each participant takes home 

suggestions for enhancing “classic” 

dishes and the set of recipe cards.

n Participants repeat the same four simple 

exercises in an optional 10-minute 

physical activity “cool-down.” They 

receive a handout that visually depicts 

the exercises so they can do them at home.

How the Session Encourages Behavior

n Awareness: Participants may never have thought of adding a fruit or a vegetable to a 

classic dish. Just the idea may inspire them to try it.

n Skills and self-confidence: Participants hear and experience how easy it is to add fruits 

and vegetables to their daily diets without giving up their favorite foods.

n Try it and like it: If you are able to prepare an “enhanced” dish for them to taste, 

participants may find they like it and be motivated to try it at home.

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 1

Participants will be able to:

Session 3
Materials

n A place to write so all can see:

• large sheets of paper (flip chart 

pages), masking tape, and markers, or

• chalk board and chalk, or

• white board and erasable markers

n 10-20 blank index cards or pieces of 

paper 

n Resource 1: Make a Classic Better 

cards, provided with Session 3 handouts.

• Traditional dishes

• Fruits

• Vegetables

n Prepared classic dish that has a 

vegetable added to it (see recipe cards 

for suggestions)

n Serving utensils

n Eating utensils, paper plates, napkins, 

and cups – one set per participant

n Handouts:

• Handout 3a: Set Your Goals

• Handout 3b: Session 3 Exercises

• Handout 3c: Add Fruits and 

Vegetables to Classic Favorites

• Handout 3d: Recipe Cards

• Handout 3e: Participant Feedback 

Sheet

Session 3

2 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong

Classic Dishes

Fruit or Vegetable

Raisins

Yogurt

Oatmeal

Quesadillas

Peaches

Tomatoes 

and Peppers

Spinach

Lasagna

Plus

+

+

+

+

Turn Over

Session 3 Add Fruits and Vegetables

to Classic Favorites...

Handout 3c: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Orange Pork Chops

Serving Size: 1 chop 

Yield: 2 servings 

Cost: Per Recipe: $ 1.89 

Ingredients: • 2 pork chops 

• 1 sweet potato, peeled 

• 1/2 orange, sliced 

• dash cinnamon 

• dash salt 

• dash black pepper 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

1. In a medium skillet, brown pork chops in a small

amount of oil. 

2. Cut sweet potato into 1/2-inch slices. 

3. Place meat and sweet potato slices in a baking dish

and top with orange slices;sprinkle with seasonings.

4. Cover and bake for 1 hour until meat is tender. 

For safety, cook pork to 160 degrees F.

+

Pineapple-Orange Frozen Yogurt

Serving Size: 1/3 of recipe 

Yield: 3 servings

Cost: Per Recipe: $ 1.02 

Ingredients: • 1 cup yogurt, nonfat vanilla 

• 1/2 cup orange juice 

• 1 cup pineapple chunks,

fresh or canned 

Instructions:

1. Place yogurt and fruit in large plastic bag, atten

and freeze overnight. 

2. Combine fruit, yogurt, and juice in food processor

or blender and blend until smooth. 

3. Serve right away or place back in the freezer to

harden until ready to serve, up to 1 hour, stirring

occasionally. Stir before serving.

+

Cut on dotted line

Session 3

Recipe Cards

Handout 3d: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Adapted from: Simply Seniors Cookbook, Utah State University Extension

Adapted from: Food and Health Communications, Inc
Preparation

n Choose one of the recipes included in 

the session to prepare in advance. When 

choosing dishes to make for participants 

to sample, consider:

• Foods that are in season and/or 

affordable on a limited budget

• Foods that your participants are likely 

to eat

• Foods that are easy for you to serve in 

the classroom or are easy to transport

n Obtain the needed paper/plastic goods 

and utensils for serving everyone a 

sample portion of the prepared dish. 

Session 3

n Tailor Handout 3a, Set Your Goals. Make 

a blank “master” photocopy. On this 

master, fill in the dates for the current 

or upcoming week before you make 

copies for participants. 

n Make copies of Handouts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 

and 3e, one copy for each participant.

n Organize room so participants sit in a 

semicircle. If you do the physical activity 

segments, use straight-back, firm chairs 

arranged in a semicircle at least 2 feet 

apart. 

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 3

Eat at least 3 1/

2 1 cups of fruits and vegetables every day.

2

 

Cups of

fruits

Minutes of

physical

activity

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

# of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s)

# of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes

Participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days.

My Personal Goals

I will eat ________ cup(s) of fruits and ________ cup(s) of vegetables every day.

In the space provided, write the cups of fruits and vegetables you ate and the minutes of physical activity you 

completed each day.

Handout 3a: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Session 3

Set Your Goals Recommended Goals

I will get at least ________ minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on ________ days next week.

# of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s)

Cups of

vegetables

My Weekly Log

Session 3

Exercises

Handout 3b: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

• Sit in a chair

• Straighten right leg 

• Lift leg as high as is comfortable

• Lower leg, keeping it extended and elevated

• Repeat 8 times

• Repeat with left leg 

* For additional challenge, use 1-pound ankle 

 weights

2 Leg Lifts

Session 3

Exercises These exercises are designed to help you build strength,

improve balance, and increase flexibility. In addition to at

least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity,

include these exercises in your daily program.

• Start in a seated position with arms crossed

• Stand up, trying not to use arms

• Sit down, trying not to use arms

• Repeat 10 times 

1 Stand Up and Sit Down

Handout 3b: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Begin your exercise session by taking 5 deep breaths – 

in through your nose and out through your mouth. It

is important to keep breathing deeply throughout the

exercise session.

1. How useful was the information you

learned from this session?

(Mark one response.)

 Not at all useful

 Somewhat useful

 Useful

 Very useful

 Why or why not? 

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

2. Are you planning to eat more fruits

and vegetables next week?

(Mark one response.)

 Yes

 No

 I am not sure

3. Are you planning to increase your

physical activity next week?

(Mark one response.)

 Yes

 No

 I am not sure

4. What did you like the most about 

this session?

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

5. What did you like the least about 

this session?

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

6. How did you hear about this

Eat Smart, Live Strong session?

(Mark all that apply.)

 Supplemental Nutrition

 Assistance Program office

 Friend 

 Senior center

 Poster 

 Flyer 

 Newsletter

 Place of worship

 Other – specify

 _____________________________

7. In which programs do you participate? 

(Mark all that apply.)

 Supplemental Nutrition

 Assistance Program

 Commodity Supplemental 

 Food Program

 Senior Farmers’ Market 

 Nutrition Program

 Home delivered meals

 Congregate meals

 Food bank or pantry

Please take a few moments to complete this form. Return this sheet to the group leader. Your comments will help the leader continue to improve the session.

Today’s Date: ________________________________

Thank you for participating in Eat Smart, Live Strong!

Handout 3e: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Sesssion 3 Participant Feedback Sheet for Session 3, Colorful and Classic Favorites
Session 3

Optional Physical Activity Warm-Up

4 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong

n Add 10 minutes for each optional 

“warm-up” and “cool-down” exercise 

session; they feature the same set of 

exercises and the same handout is used 

for both.

n Handout 3b has all of the instructions 

needed to lead Session 3 exercises.

n Participants will have a chance to try 

the same movements twice.

n This repetition, along with the handout, 

will give participants the skills, selfconfidence, and tools to do these 

exercises on their own at home.

n Most group leaders will find the 

exercises simple to lead.

n You do not need to be a skilled exercise 

instructor to lead these exercises, but 

you may want to try them out ahead 

of time so you will be comfortable 

demonstrating them. 

n Keep in mind that you do not have to 

use all of the exercises presented in 

this session. You may want to tailor the 

physical activities to meet the needs 

of each group.

In addition to talking about the value of physical activity, you have 

the option of leading participants through several simple exercises at 

the beginning and end of each session.
n Explain that these exercises can improve 

strength, balance, and flexibility.

n Assure participants that most will find 

these four simple exercises easy to 

do and many will be familiar with the 

exercises. 

n Let them know that if they do not feel 

comfortable or have a physical condition 

that prevents them from doing any or all 

of the exercises, it is OKAY to sit them 

out; if they feel pain, discomfort, or 

fatigue while exercising, they should not 

hesitate to stop or take a break; and, 

if they need assistance, they should let 

you know right away.

n Pass out Handout 3b, Session 3 

Exercises, and ask participants to take 

a look at it.

n State the four exercises on the handout:

• Stand Up and Sit Down

• Leg Lifts

• Two-Arm Row

• Arm Raises

n Lead Session 3 Exercises 1-4, using 

Handout 3b and directing participants 

to look at the pictures.

n Demonstrate the exercises, make sure 

participants can see you, giving a 

few, simple verbal instructions. Have 

participants follow along as you repeat 

each exercise. 

n Check whether the group is doing each 

exercise correctly and help those who 

appear to need additional instruction.

n Be sure to encourage and give positive 

feedback to participants as they try the 

exercises. 

Exercises

Session 3

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 5

Some groups or individual participants may be ready to take on more challenging 

physical activity. Provide additional challenge by suggesting 1-pound hand weights.

Tip! Adding Weights

Stand Up and Sit Down Leg Lifts Two-Arm Row Arm Raises
Colorful and

Classic Favorites

n Introduce the session. Let participants know that this is the 

third of four sessions in the Eat Smart, Live Strong series and 

that today’s session is “Colorful and Classic Favorites.”

n Acknowledge familiar faces. Give a big hello to those who 

attended earlier sessions and assure newcomers that they will 

find it easy to join in even though this is their first session. 

n Introduce yourself. Mention one of your favorite dishes. Ask 

participants to introduce themselves by stating their names and 

answering the question: “What’s one of your favorite dishes (or 

recipes)?” List each dish mentioned on a flip chart or chalk board 

for all to see. You will use this list later in the session.

1 Welcome and Introductions

Session 3

6 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong
Session 3

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 7

n Set a warm and relaxed tone for the session. Let participants know 

that you hope to learn from their experiences and that they may 

offer comments or ask questions at any time.

n State the purpose of today’s session. Participants will think about 

ways to add fruits and vegetables to some of their favorite dishes.

n Share the length of the session. Let people know that the session 

will take about an hour and mention other helpful information such 

as the location of the rest rooms, water fountains, or exit areas.
n Explain that the Eat Smart, Live Strong program focuses on 

two important behaviors. These are two actions that health 

experts recommend to improve the health and well-being of 

people of all ages:

 Eat at least 31/

2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day1

 Participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity 

 most days

n Mention that the ideal amount of fruits and vegetables for any 

person depends on activity level, age, and gender. Point out 

that older adults should eat at least 31/

2 cups each day.1

 One 

and a half cups should be fruit. Two cups should be vegetables.

Two Important Behaviors 

and Their Benefits

Session 3

2

Colorful and Classic Favorites

8

1

2

United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong

1

 Based on the segment of the target audience with the lowest caloric need – sedentary women (1,600 calories per day). 

For older adults who are more active, recommend 2 cups of fruits and 21/

2 cups of vegetables (2,000 calories per day).

11/

2 cups + 2 cups 11/

2 cups 2 cups = 31/

2 cups of 

Fruits and Vegetables1

Fruits Vegetables
Session 3

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 9

n Ask participants to name some of the benefits of eating 31/

2

cups of fruits and vegetables every day. Make sure the 

following are mentioned:

• Get some of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber needed to 

maintain good health

• Maintain regularity

• Help prevent or delay the effects of chronic conditions such 

as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease

• Add color, taste, and variety to the diet

n Ask participants to list some of the ways they can be physically 

active. Be sure to include:

n Discuss the benefits of engaging in 30 minutes of physical 

activity most days. Mention the following:

• Help prevent or delay the effects of chronic disease

• Feel better

• Decrease mild stress, anxiety, and depression

• Build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints

• Improve strength 

• Increase balance and reduce the risk of falling 

• Improve sleep

• Walking 

 briskly

• Mowing the 

 lawn

• Aerobics

• Weight lifting

• Jogging

• Dancing

• Swimming

• Stationary cycling

• Active walking 

or running with 

grandchildren
3 Measuring Your Goals

Session 3 Colorful and Classic Favorites

10 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong

n Those who participated in Session 1 or 2 set goals for 

themselves for both behaviors. Some may have brought back 

the Handout, Set Your Goals, on which they recorded their daily 

success. Ask them to share with the group how they are doing. 

n Invite participants to share their successes. Ask participants 

to describe what has made it easier for them to do the two 

behaviors. 

n Have the group congratulate those who have made progress 

toward their goals.

n Hand out copies of Handout 3a to those who wish to continue 

tracking their success.

Eat at least 3 1/

2 1 cups of fruits and vegetables every day.

2

 

Cups of

fruits

Minutes of

physical

activity

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

# of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s)

# of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes # of minutes

Participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days.

My Personal Goals

I will eat ________ cup(s) of fruits and ________ cup(s) of vegetables every day.

In the space provided, write the cups of fruits and vegetables you ate and the minutes of physical activity you 

completed each day.

Handout 3a: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Session 3

Set Your Goals

Recommended Goals

I will get at least ________ minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on ________ days next week.

# of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s) # of cup(s)

Cups of

vegetables

My Weekly Log
Classic Dishes

Session 3 Card Game:

Make a Classic Better

Resource 1: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Brown Rice

Cut along perforations

Cheese Pizza

Turkey Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread Baked Potato

Meatless Spaghetti Tuna

Be sure that everyone is seated comfortably and that all can see 

you, the leader.

Card Game: Make a Classic Better

n Tell participants that today’s learning activity focuses on ways 

to enjoy their favorite dishes while eating more fruits and 

vegetables (Use Resource 1: Make A Classic Better cards.)

n Lay the fruit cards and the vegetable cards on a table or on the 

floor where all can see them.

n Point out the list of favorite dishes mentioned during the 

participant introductions. Select a “classic dishes” card that 

illustrates one of these. Hand the card to a participant who 

mentioned the dish. You might not have a card for each dish 

listed. In this case, write the name of the dish on a blank card or 

sheet of paper. Hand out additional “classic dishes” cards until 

each participant has one.

n Invite a volunteer participant to kick off this activity by walking 

to the front of the room with his or her “classic dishes” card. Ask 

the volunteer to state, “This is one of my favorite classic dishes. 

I invite (name of another participant) to help me make it more 

colorful and tasty by adding a fruit or vegetable.”

n The named person picks up a fruit card or a vegetable card and 

stands next to the volunteer at the front of the room. Ask her to 

state, “I’ll make this dish more colorful and tasty by adding _____ 

(name of selected fruit or vegetable).” Let participants know that 

they can choose a fruit or vegetable as an added ingredient to 

the recipe or as a side dish.

4 Skills-Building Activity

Session 3

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 11

Classic Dishes

Session 3 Card Game: Make a Classic Better

Resource 1: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Macaroni and Cheese Chicken Soup

Hamburger Chili

Egg on Toast Quesadillas with Cheese

Cut along perforations
Fruits

Session 3 Card Game:

Make a Classic Better

Resource 1: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Sliced Avocado Orange Juice

Raisins Apple

Fruit Cocktail Sliced Pineapple

Cut along perforations

n Ask participants to talk about the new colorful and classic favorite. 

You may ask:

• Have any of you ever added this fruit (or vegetable) to this dish?

• How do you think this would taste?

• How hard would it be to add the fruit (or vegetable)?

• How much fruit (or vegetable) – in cups – might this classic 

dish add to your daily diet?

• What other fruits (or vegetables) would be good in this dish?

• Would you try this at home?

n These two participants take their seats. Ask a second volunteer 

to walk to the front of the room and display her “classic dishes” 

card. She calls upon another participant to pick a fruit or 

vegetable to add to the dish. Discuss the choices.

n Look for opportunities to talk about the importance of eating 

a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables. Adding fruits or 

vegetables to a classic dish is just another chance to vary the 

colors you eat. By eating a colorful variety of fruits and 

vegetables every day, you ensure that you have the wide range 

of vitamins and minerals your body needs to maintain good 

health and energy levels.

n Repeat until everyone has had a chance to present a classic dish.

Session 3 Colorful and Classic Favorites

Skills-Building Activity continued

 Card Game continued

4

12 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong

Help participants stay physically active during the learning activity. Asking participants 

to move to the front of the room to play the game gets them out of their chairs. 

Make sure that no one feels left out because of physical limitations. You or another 

participant may help people join in even if they have trouble standing, walking, 

grasping, hearing, or seeing.

Tip! Keep Moving!

Fruits

Session 3 Card Game: Make a Classic Better

Resource 1: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Strawberries Peach

Banana Blueberries

Mango Grapes

Cut along perforations
Taste a Colorful Classic

n Invite participants to taste the classic recipe you have prepared, 

a traditional dish with an added vegetable. Depending on time 

and room layout, you may allow people to walk to the table and 

serve themselves, or you may hand out portions as participants 

remain seated.

n Ask participants to describe what they are tasting. How do they 

like the taste or the texture? How could the enhanced dish 

add to the variety of colors they are eating? Would they try to 

prepare this dish themselves? What else 

could they add?

n Let participants know how many cups of 

fruits or vegetables should be in each 

portion of the dish. 

n Remind participants that they should aim 

to eat a variety of colors of fruits and 

vegetables.

Session 3

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 13

Older adults may have years of experience in the kitchen. If you have the time and an 

appropriate setting, participants would enjoy helping you prepare a classic favorite. 

Follow one of the recipes in the handouts or choose one that you know is successful 

with the group. Depending on the dish selected, you may need to:

• Select and purchase ingredients that are low-cost – or available through a food 

distribution site or a Senior Farmers’ Market.

• Wash or prep the ingredients ahead of time.

• Provide utensils and plates or bowls.

• Use measuring cups to show how much fruit or vegetable is added.

Tip! Let Them Cook!

Vegetables

Session 3

M

Card Game: ake a Classic Better

Resource 1: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Sliced Cucumber

Carrots

Salad Green Pepper

Navy Beans Sliced Eggplant

Cut along perforations

Vegetables

Session 3 Card Game: Make a Classic Better

Resource 1: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Tomatoes Green Beans

Spinach Peas

Corn Broccoli

Cut along perforations
Handouts: Taking the Ideas Home 

n Give everyone Handout 3c, Add Fruits and Vegetables to Classic 

Favorites.

n Point out that the pictures on one side show ways to add fruits 

and vegetables to some traditional favorite dishes. The reverse 

side has information to share with family members, friends, or 

caregivers.

n Pass out copies of the recipe cards (Handout 3d). Have 

participants discuss these ideas.

n Ask a few questions to help participants commit to trying 

something new:

• We talked about several ways to add fruits or vegetables to your 

favorite dishes. Which combinations do you think you would like 

to try?

• Do you have any more combination ideas you would like to 

share before we end today’s session?

n Offer copies of Handout 3a, Set Your Goals, to those who want them.

n Summarize the main point of the session: “A great way to 

increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat is to add 

them to your favorite classic dishes.”

n Ask how they plan to be physically active during the upcoming 

week.

n Thank participants for joining this session and invite them to the 

next session, letting them know the time and place.

4 Skills-Building Activity continued

5 Wrap-Up

Session 3 Colorful and Classic Favorites

14 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong

Classic Dishes Fruit or Vegetable

Raisins

Yogurt

Oatmeal

Quesadillas

Peaches

Tomatoes 

and Peppers

Spinach

Lasagna

Plus

+

+

+

+

Turn Over

Session 3 Add Fruits and Vegetables

to Classic Favorites...

Handout 3c: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012
Session 3

Session 3: Colorful and Classic Favorites 15

n Remind participants to bring their filled-in Set Your Goals weekly 

logs to the next session so they can report on their progress. 

n Let participants know that their honest feedback about today’s 

session will help you to improve the session for future groups. 

Using the Participant Feedback Sheet (Handout 3e) and/or 

through discussion, ask some of these questions:

• What new thing did you learn?

• Which part of the session was most important to you?

• Do you think goal setting will help you eat at least 31/

2 cups 

of fruits and vegetables every day?

• Will your goals help you to participate in at least 30 minutes 

of physical activity most days of the week?

• How could we make the session better?

• How did you hear about today’s session? – or – How did you 

hear about the Eat Smart, Live Strong program?

n If you are using the written Participant Feedback Sheets, assure 

participants that this is not a test – and that there are no wrong 

answers! Encourage honest opinions. Help people who have 

difficulty writing. Collect the feedback sheets. You will find 

it useful to review participants’ responses. Tabulating their 

answers can help you find ways to improve the session before 

your next group. The feedback also may help you report on 

your educational activities.

1. How useful was the information you

learned from this 

(Mark 

session?

one response.)

 Not 

 

at all useful

Somewhat 

 Useful

useful

 Very useful

 Why or why 

 _____________________________

not? 

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

2. Are you planning to eat more fruits

and vegetables next week?

(Mark one response.)

 Yes

 No

 I am not sure

3. Are you planning to increase your

physical activity next week?

(Mark one response.)

 Yes

 No

 I am not sure

4. What did you like the most about 

this session?

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

5. What did you like the least about 

this session?

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

 _____________________________

6. How did you hear about this

Eat Smart, Live Strong session?

(Mark all that 

 

apply.)

Supplemental Nutrition

 Assistance Program office

 Friend 

 Senior 

 

center

Poster 

 

 

Flyer 

 Newsletter

 Place 

 

of worship

Other 

 _____________________________

– specify

7. In which programs do you participate? 

(Mark all that apply.)

 Supplemental Nutrition

 Assistance 

 Commodity 

Program

Supplemental 

 Food 

 

Program

Senior Farmers’ Market 

 Nutrition 

 Home 

Program

delivered 

 Congregate 

meals

 Food 

meals

bank or pantry

Please take a few moments to complete this form. Return this sheet to the group leader. Your comments will help the leader continue to improve the session.

Today’s Date: ________________________________

Thank you for participating in Eat Smart, Live Strong!

Handout 3e: Eat Smart, Live Strong Revised November 2012

Sesssion 3 Participant Feedback Sheet for Session 3, Colorful and Classic Favorites
n Announce that the last activity in 

the session will be 10 minutes of 

“cool-down” exercises.

n Emphasize that if they do not feel 

comfortable or have a physical condition

that prevents them from doing any or 

all of the exercises it is OKAY to sit 

them out; if they feel pain, discomfort, 

or fatigue while exercising, they should 

not hesitate to stop or take a break; 

and, if they need assistance, they should 

let you know right away.

n Ask participants to look at Handout 3b 

before they begin. Remind them that 

they will take the handout home and 

could try these exercises most days of 

the week.

n If you have noticed some participants 

who are comfortable with the exercises, 

you might invite a participant to lead 

the group in one of the exercises; or ask 

the participant to help others who may 

be having difficulty.

n Thank the group again for their participation. Express the hope that they see 

adding a little physical activity to their 

day can be fun and easy. Suggest that 

they do these simple exercises with a 

friend or family member.

Following the session, add 10 minutes to lead the same set of 

exercises with which you opened this session. If you opted not to do 

the “Warm-Up,” refer to pages 4-5 for more explanation.

Session 3

Optional Physical Activity Cool-Down

16 United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service • Eat Smart, Live Strong
Eat Smart, Live Strong Activity Kit

The Eat Smart, Live Strong Activity Kit offers a set of learning 

experiences to facilitate older adults’ adoption of two important 

behaviors that can improve almost everyone’s health and quality 

of life:

 Eat at least 31/

2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day

 Participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days

Because knowledge is not enough for people to adopt healthful 

habits, the kit takes a behavioral approach that builds on applied 

behavioral theory and prior research. The sessions and materials were 

tested with staff and group leaders in nutrition sites. Handouts 

were also tested with potential participants – low-income adults 

between 60 and 74 years old who are eligible for USDA Food and 

Nutrition Service’s programs.

1

2
United States Department of Agriculture

Food and Nutrition Service

3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Revised November 2012