Name the Five Food Groups

The human body needs a certain amount of nutrients each day to maintain health. This is where the five food groups come into play. The USDA created the food pyramid in the 1980s as a graphic representation of foods children and adults should eat. Today the food pyramid is still widely used in schools and nutritional centers showing individuals the five food groups that they should eat each day -- grains, vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy.

Grains

• Grains provide your body with carbohydrates, iron, fiber and other minerals that give your body energy. From this group you can eat items like rice, breads, cereals and pasta. It is recommended that individuals eat at least eight to 11 servings from this group each day. An example of a serving of grains would be a slice of bread or a half cup of cooked rice.

Dairy

• Dairy products contain calcium and protein that is essential for brain development and creates healthy bones in the human body. Individuals are encouraged to have at least three servings a day of dairy products such as cheese, milk, yogurt or even ice cream. A typical serving of dairy would be one cup of milk or yogurt or one and a half ounces of cheese.

Meat

• The human body needs nutrients like protein and iron, which are found in meat products. Typical meat products individuals should eat are chicken, turkey, beef and fish. Though individuals who are vegetarian do not eat meat, also under the meat category are things like nuts, dried beans and eggs. A recommended serving from the meat group is at least two servings per day. An example of a serving of meat would be a half cup of dried beans, one egg or two to three ounces of cooked poultry.

Vegetables

• Vegetables are full of essential nutrients and vitamins such as A, B, C and even D. Not only are vegetables good for you, but they are also easy to mix in with other items such as dairy or meat to get a full serving. It is recommended that individuals get at least three or more servings each day from this category from items like carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans or corn. An example of a serving of vegetables would be one cup leafy greens, 3/4 cup vegetable juice or a half cup cooked vegetables.

Fruits

• Like vegetables, fruits are full of essential vitamins and nutrients that help the human body keep going. Fruits are especially high in vitamin C which can promote a healthy immune system and provide fiber to help regulate the body's digestive system. Some fruits that individuals can eat are oranges, apples, bananas, pears, kiwi, guava, pineapple or grapes -- you should eat at least two to four servings per day. An example of a fruit serving size would be one medium apple or banana or a half cup chopped fruit.