Eating a variety of foods from the 5 main food groups provides a variety of nutrients to the body, promotes good health and can help reduce the risk of diseases, in addition to maintaining an interesting diet with different flavors and textures. 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.
Most sweetened beverages don't help meet food group goals and often contain a lot of calories. The daily intake amounts listed in cups or ounces may not actually translate into cups or ounces of the food you are eating. As these foods do not provide any nutritional benefits, they should only be eaten from time to time and in limited quantities. The five food groups As shown by the My Plate icon, the five food groups are fruits, vegetables, cereals, protein foods and dairy products.
Enjoy foods from each of the five food groups and you'll get a fantastic combination of the best nutrients and vitamins. Food group quantities The USDA dietary standards specify the targets for each food group in equivalents in cups (for fruits, vegetables and dairy products) and in equivalents in ounces (for cereals and protein foods). The USDA dietary patterns provide the recommended amounts for each food group and subgroup at 12 different calorie levels, ranging from 1000 to 3200. Now that the back-to-school season approaches, MyPlate nutritionists offer a refresher lesson on food groups to get back to basics.
The Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 30.6 million) recommend that you eat 8 to 10 ounces a week of a variety of seafood, not only because of the protein, but also because seafood contains omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, which are good for the heart. It is important to consume the recommended amount from each food group without exceeding the recommended daily calories. Eating a lot of junk food makes your skin look dull, while, on the other hand, eating fruits and vegetables will give your face a natural glow. The equivalents in cups and the equivalents in ounces help you understand the different amounts of food from each food group you should eat.
