I am trying to find out where I can buy (preferably online) plastic
food models or replicas that dieticians and nutritionists use to show
their clients what the proper portion sizes are for various foods from
all four food groups.  For example, I took a nutrition class where the
professor passed around plastic models -- a fake 3 ounce piece of
chicken; a fake serving of pasta -- to show the class what a proper
serving size is.  I want to buy a set of these visual aids.  Thanks.

Hello Christmas,

Thank you for your question.

My search returned two excellent resources for places to purchase
visual aids of plastic food models or replicas that are used by
nutritionists to show portion sizes in all four food groups:

****************************

Nasco 

Nasco offers a wide variety health care & health education materials
and food replicas.

This Pyramid Resource Kit contains 35 food replicas:

Fats, Oils, & Sweets: 
1 tbsp. margarine, slice fried bacon, 1 tbsp. French dressing, angel
food cake.
 
Milk, Yoghurt, & Cheese: 
8oz. skim milk, 2-oz. slice American cheese, 8 oz. yoghurt, 1/4 cup
cottage cheese.
  
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, & Nuts: 
3-oz. chicken breast, hot dog, fried egg, 3-oz. beef patty and 1 tbsp.
peanut butter.
  
Fruit: 
Avocado, orange, strawberries, 1/4 melon, 1/2 cup applesauce and
canned pear.
  
Vegetables: 
1/2 cup corn, 1/2 cup yam, 1/2 cup peas, 1/2 cup broccoli, 2/3 to 1
cup tossed salad, baked potato, 1/2 cup coleslaw, 1 hot chili pepper.
  
Bread, Cereal, Rice, & Pasta: 
Bagel, 2 pancakes, 1/3 cup brown rice, 1/2 cup spaghetti (pasta)
french bread, hot dog bun, 3 graham crackers, 1/2 cup oatmeal

Source: Nasco Website
http://www.nascofa.com/prod/ProductDetail?sku=WA15904HR&title=Nutrition+Teaching+Aids

There are other different pyramid sets to choose from as well.
http://www.nascofa.com/prod/BrowseSummary?is_search_word=no&quickkey=283&major=Sets&minor=Pyramid+Kits&title=Nutrition+Teaching+Aids&seqid=12

There have a large selection of individual foods.
http://www.nascofa.com/prod/BrowseMinorIndex?quickkey=283&text=Individual+Foods&title=Nutrition+Teaching+Aids&seqid=22

Nutrition Teaching Aids
http://www.nascofa.com/prod/BrowseMinorIndex?quickkey=283&text=Teaching+Aids&title=Nutrition+Teaching+Aids&seqid=5

You may order online, by phone or by mail
http://www.nascofa.com/prod/Static?page=howto&seqid=5

Contact information :

NASCO • FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN
901 Janesville Ave.
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0901
Phone: 920-563-2446
FAX: 920-563-8296 

NASCO • MODESTO, CALIFORNIA
4825 Stoddard Rd.
P.O. Box 3837
Modesto, CA 95352-3837
Phone: 209-545-1600
FAX: 209-545-1669


*******************************************

Premier Medical Group Co. Ltd

Premier Medical Group offers different kinds of food replica packages
which can be ordered online or by phone.

Pyramid Packet w/ 3-D Pyramid & Carrying Case - 35 Replicas
http://premieremedical.safeshopper.com/185/2785.htm?716

Asian American Food Replica:
  
“This kit reflects healthy eating choices for Asian populations. It
contains 21 food replicas depicting a variety of commonly eaten foods
listed in the Asian Diet Pyramid. Replicas include white rice, fried
rice with peas, spaghetti, slice of whole wheat bread, avocado slice,
pear, pineapple slices, peanuts, raw tofu, kidney beans, broccoli, raw
carrots, peas, lettuce leaf, turnips, broiled fish, shrimp, fried egg,
chicken leg, stir-fried chicken, and red wine.”

Mediterranean Food Replica:

“The Mediterranean kit contains 20 food replicas of commonly eaten
foods listed on the Mediterranean Food Pyramid. (..)Replicas include
slice of whole wheat bread, brown rice, spaghetti, baked potato, slice
of rye bread, peach, strawberries, avocado slice, red beans, peanuts,
tomato slice, lettuce leaf, cheese cubes, yogurt, salmon, broiled
fish, chicken leg, fried egg, chocolate ice cream, and red wine.”

Latin American Food Replica:

“This kit contains 25 replicas of commonly eaten foods listed within
the Latin American Diet Pyramid. Replicas include corn tortilla, flour
tortilla, corn bread, brown rice, baked potato, white rice, yam,
refried beans, red beans, peanuts, avocado slice, kiwi, orange,
broccoli, spinach, tomato, salmon, perch, chicken leg, chicken breast,
skim milk, cheese cubes, fried egg, beef roast, and vanilla ice
cream.”
Source: Premiere Medical Website
http://premieremedical.safeshopper.com/185/5642.htm?656
Contact Information:

Email: info@epremiermedical.com
ORDER LINE: 800-955-2774 
Phone: (253) 852-5552 
FAX: (253) 852-5580

Ordering Information 
http://premieremedical.safeshopper.com/about.htm?656


Search Criteria:

food replicas nutrition
nutrition teaching aids
food replicas


I hope you find this helpful and if there is anything that I've
written that needs clarification, please ask before you rate this
answer.

Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 19 Nov 2002 16:23 PST

Dear Christmas,
Thank you very much for the five-star rating and the generous tip.
Sincerely, 
Bobbie7a-ga

Perfect; exactly what I wanted.