Food Groups according to the Food Pyramid

Food Groups according to the Food Pyramid

Grain

The Grain Group is represented by a thick Orange strip. Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta are grown from cereal crops. Cereals, breads, pastas, crackers, and rice all fall under this categorization. Grains supply food energy in the form of starch, and are also a source of protein. Whole grains contain dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, and other important nutrients. Milled grains, though more palatable, have many nutrients removed in the milling process and thus are not as highly recommended as whole grains. 6-11 servings of grain products are recommended per day. Starch is the most valuable polysaccharide. Starch digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase, continuing in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase.

Glucoamylase breaks these short chains down.

Vegetable

A vegetable is a part of a plant consumed by humans that is generally savory (not sweet) and not considered a grain, fruit, nut, spice, or herb. For example, the stem, root, flower, etc. may be eaten as vegetables. Vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals; however, different vegetables contain different spreads, so it is important to eat a wide variety of types. For example, green vegetables typically contain vitamin A, dark orange and dark green vegetables contain vitamin C,and vegetables like broccoli and related plants contain iron and calcium. The dark green vegetables and the orange color is caused by the vitamins and vegetables like carrots contain lots of vitamin A which helps eye health.3-5 servings of vegetables in a day. They may be fresh, frozen, canned, or juiced.

Fruit

In terms of food (rather than botany), fruits are the sweet-tasting seed-bearing parts of plants, or occasionally sweet parts of plants which do not bear seeds.

These include apples, oranges, plums, bananas, etc. Fruits are low in calories and fat and are a source of natural sugars, fiber and vitamins. Processing fruits when canning or making into juices unfortunately may add sugars and remove nutrients. Therefore, fresh fruit or canned fruit packed in juice rather than syrup is recommended. The fruit food group is sometimes combined with the vegetable food group. Oil

The oil group is represented by a thin yellow strip between the Dairy and Fruits Groups. Oils include cooking oils, fats and sweets, along with some good fats found in items like peanut butter and fish. Actually, the Food Pyramid does not consider Oils a food group.

Dairy

The Dairy group is represented by a medium-thick blue strip between the Oil and Meat groups. Dairy products are produced from the milk of mammals, most usually but not exclusively cattle. Milk and its derivative products are a rich source of the mineral calcium, but also provide protein, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin D. For adults, 3 cups of dairy products are recommended per day. Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts

Meat is the tissue - usually muscle - of an animal consumed by humans. Meat is a major source of protein, as well as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Meats, poultry, and fish include beef, chicken, pork, salmon, tuna, and shrimp, eggs, Spices and Herbs are also in this Group.

However, since many of the same nutrients found in meat can also be found in foods like eggs, dry beans, and nuts, such foods are typically placed in the same category as meats, as meat

alternatives. These include tofu, products that resemble meat or fish but are made with soy, eggs, and cheeses. The meat group is one of the major compacted food groups in the food pyramid guide .

Although meats provide energy and nutrients, they are often high in fat and cholesterol, and can be high in sodium. For those who don't consume meat or animal products , meat analogues, tofu, beans, lentils, chick peas, nuts and other high-in-protein vegetables make up this food group.

Blank Food Pyramid..

controversy-of-food-pyramid.