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What Is the Purpose of the 5 Food Groups?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) "Dietary Guidelines 2005," consumption of each of the major food groups reduces the risk of certain chronic diseases.

  1. Grains

    • Grains are a source of dietary fiber, many B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), and minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium). Consuming grains may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, reduce constipation and help you lose or maintain weight.

    Vegetables

    • Vegetables are a source of potassium; dietary fiber; folate (folic acid); and vitamins A, E, and C. Consuming vegetables may reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, kidney stone development and bone loss.

    Fruit

    • Fruits are a source of potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). Consuming fruit may reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases; type 2 diabetes; coronary heart disease; kidney stone development; bone loss; and mouth, stomach and colon-rectum cancers.

    Milk

    • Milk and milk products are a source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. Milk and milk products help our bodies build bone, so milk consumption is especially important for children. Consuming milk and milk products may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

    Meat and Beans

    • Meat and beans are a source of protein, vitamins E and B (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and B6), iron, zinc and magnesium. The benefits of eating from the meat and beans food group are numerous. These benefits include: helping to build bone and muscles, the formation of red blood cells and cell oxidation.

    Considerations

    • Each of the food groups is important for a healthy diet. Recommendations for daily intake of each good group can be found at MyPyramid.gov.

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