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Six Food Groups & Proper Amounts

The USDA's food guide has experienced a number of changes since its creation in 1917. In 2010, the food pyramid received a revamping, giving it a more flexible, tailored display. This retooling tells how much foods from the six food groups should be eaten.

  1. Food Groups

    • The food pyramid is divided into five food groups, plus a section for oils, bringing the total to six. The other groups are fats and sweets, dairy, protein, grains and fruits and vegetables. Each food group has a specific daily value based on age and average daily calorie intake.

    Examples

    • The protein food group includes foods such as meat and beans which provide essential proteins to a diet. Grains refers to pastas, cereals, breads and rice and supply fiber and other essential nutrients. Fruits and vegetable servings can come from sources such as 100 percent fruit juice in addition to foods like broccoli and oranges. The dairy group consists of milk, yogurt and cheese products that give calcium, vitamin D and protein. In the fats and sweets group are foods such as soda, candy, desserts and butter. Oils refers to the use of vegetable oils while cooking.

    Servings

    • Rather than recommending set values for everyone, the 2010 food pyramid focuses on more of an overview of how much certain food groups should be part of someone's diet. The bulk of a diet should be comprised of grains, while vegetables and dairy should make up the next largest part. Fruits are recommended to be eaten more than proteins, and the smallest amounts of fats, sweets and oils should be eaten. The actual numerical amount depends upon a person's recommended caloric intake.

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