Eating a variety of foods from each of the five food groups can help you enjoy a healthier, more balanced diet. But what are the different food groups and how much of each food group should we eat every day? The key to a healthy diet is to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods from each of the 5 food groups. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating shows the 5 food groups on a plate, in the proportion in which you should eat them throughout the day. If you eat a variety of foods from each of these groups, your body will receive all the nutrients and vitamins it needs to function.
Experts recommend that everyone eat a variety of foods from each of these food groups, from six months of age to older adulthood, although the recommended daily amounts vary depending on age, gender and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding. As the back-to-school season approaches, MyPlate nutritionists offer a refresher lesson on food groups to get back to basics. The USDA dietary patterns provide the recommended amounts for each food group and subgroup at 12 different calorie levels, ranging from 1000 to 3200. We have analyzed the most recent research to make it easier to identify the main food groups and find out which foods do not meet the nutritional requirements.
Snodgrass recommends prioritizing foods that are good sources of vitamins and minerals to help boost your immune system and keep you fit. Some of the food groups are further divided into subgroups to emphasize foods that are particularly good sources of certain vitamins and minerals. Dairy products and foods high in calcium are vital for children's growth, as they promote healthy bone and tooth development. Try to keep foods such as butter, margarine, cooking oils and salad dressings to a minimum and save chocolate, chips, sugary soft drinks, candies, jam, cream, cakes, pudding, cookies and pastries for the occasional treat.
Enjoy foods from each of the five food groups and you'll get a fantastic combination of the best nutrients and vitamins. MyPlate reports that foods made with low-calcium milk, such as butter, sour cream and cream cheese, are not considered part of the dairy product group. MyPlate recommends that you vary your protein sources to include foods such as seafood, lean or low-fat meat, poultry, eggs, nuts, beans, soy products and lentils. It's important to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and alternatives to dairy products or fortified soy.
