Nutrition

• Food guide pyramid

  The food guide pyramid suggested optimal nutrition guidelines for each food category, per day, to represent suggested percentages of the daily diet for each food group.

Food Groups according to the Food Guide Pyramid

• Grains Group

  Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta are grown from cereal crops. Cereals, breads, pastas, crackers, and rice all fall under this categorization. Grains supply food energy in the form of starch, and are also a source of protein. Whole grains contain dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, and other important nutrients. 6-11 servings of grain products are recommended per day.

• Vegetable Group

  A vegetable is a part of a plant consumed by humans that is generally not sweet and not considered grain, fruit, nut, spice, or herb. For example, the stem, root, flower, etc. may be eaten as vegetables. Vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals; 7-9 servings of vegetables in a day.

•  Fruit Group

  These include apples, oranges, plums, and bananas, etc. Fruits are low in calories and fat and are a source of natural sugars, fiber and vitamins. The fruit food group is sometimes combined with the vegetable food group. It is best to consume 2-4 servings of fruit in a day. They may be fresh, frozen, canned, dried, pureed or made into juice.

• Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group

  Milk and its derivative products are a rich source of the mineral calcium, but also provide protein, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin D. However, many dairy products are high in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to vegetables, fruits and whole grains, which is why skimmed products are available as an alternative. For adults, 2-3 servings of dairy products are recommended per day.

•  Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group

  Meat is the tissue - usually muscle - of an animal consumed by humans. Since most parts of many types of animals are edible, there is a vast variety of meats. Meat is a major source of protein, as well as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Although meats provide energy and nutrients, they are often high in fat and cholesterol, and can be high in sodium.2-3 ounces per day of meat or alternatives are recommended. This is 3-5 servings.