The Food Pyramid Can Help You Plan a Balanced Diet

The “Food Pyramid” was developed by nutritional experts to provide a guideline for not only what types of foods should be included in a daily diet but also how much of each one. The Food Pyramid utilizes the basic food groups: Fats, Oils, and Sweets; Dairy; Meat, Poultry, and Fish; Vegetables; Fruits; and Bread, Grain, and Pasta. Topped of with Fats, Oils, and Sweets because they should represent the smallest portion of your diet. Your body requires more servings of the foods as you move lower on the pyramid daily.

6 Food Groups of the Food Pyramid

Fats, Sweets, and Oils

Fats, sweets, and oils are at the top of the food pyramid. While all people do require fats as part of a balanced date they should be eaten occasionally and much less than the other food groups. Foods in the fats, oils, and sweets category include sugars, sweets, fried foods, and others.

Milk and Dairy

The milk or dairy group includes all milk you drink and dairy products including cheese and yogurt you eat throughout the day. Milk and dairy products include many important vitamins and nutrients including calcium and it is important to consume several servings a day though not to eat too much as dairy products can be high in saturated fat.

Meat

The Meat group includes all types of meat including beef, poultry, fowl, and fish. Experts recommend you consume two servings from the meat group daily. Depending on your individual size and nutrition needs the amount of meat servings your body requires per day may vary. You should take care not to overeat certain foods in this group as they may be high in fat. Alternatives such as fish can be an excellent way to get your daily meat serving while consuming less fat.

Vegetable

Vegetables may not be everyone’s favorite food but their importance cannot be underestimated. Experts estimate that many people do not receive the recommended 3-5 servings a day. Failing to eat enough vegetables may leave your body lacking in the carbohydrates and nutrients needed to remain healthy. Vegetables are further broken down into 5 subgroups; dark green, orange, beans and peas, starches, and other. All the vegetable subgroups contain specific nutrients and benefits and should be eaten daily.

Fruits

Along with vegetables fruits are extremely important to eat every day as they are a primary source of the benficial carbohydrates your body needs daily. The experts recommend at least 2-4 servings a day of fruit, though eating more can be even more beneficial. Fruits contain many vitamins including significant amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin Cm and potassium while also being low in fat and sodium. Fruit Juices containing 100% juice and little additives can also contribute towards your daily allowance of fruit.

Bread, Pasta, and Cereal

At the foundation of the Food Pyramid lies the Bread, Pasta, and Cereal Group. These foods are rich in complex carbohyrates that provide the energy your body uses everyday. Experts recommend 6 or more servings per day of this food group. The best types of breads are pastas to eat is whole grain. Whole grain foods are less processed and refined than other grains allowing them to retain more nutrients and vitamins.