A dining plate unit includes a visual stimulating component to provide light emanating from the dining plate unit, means for sensing various conditions related to the dining plate, and/or means for wirelessly communicating the sensed data, means for wirelessly transferring power, or means for generating sound. The dining plate unit can be a single component where the device and related circuitry are all contained in the unit, or it can be at least two components: an upper translucent dining plate, and a mating underplate including the devices and circuitry for directing light through the upper translucent dining plate.