Nutri Herb

More Information on the Food Pyramid

Orange Food Group:  Grains

The Grains group consists of whole grains (the entire kernel including the bran, germ, and endosperm) and enriched refined grains (only the endosperm after processing). As a general guideline, because individual needs vary according to age, sex, and activity levels, people should eat 6 ounces daily from this food group, with half being from whole grains.

Some grain foods: cereals, breads, crackers, rice, pasta, tortillas, and popcorn

Green Food Group:  Vegetables

The Vegetables group consists of five categories of vegetables: dark green, orange, starchy, dry beans and peas, and "other". As a general guideline, because individual needs vary according to age, sex, and activity levels, people should eat (or drink) 2 1/2 cups from this food group each day.

Some vegetable foods:  (dark green) - broccoli, spinach, and mustard greens, (orange) - carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash, (starchy) - corn, green peas, and potatoes, (dry beans and peas) - black beans, pinto beans, and split pea, and ("other") vegetables like artichoke, asparagus, onions, and tomatos.

Red Food Group:  Fruits

The Fruit group consists of fruit like bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes, prunes, plums, lemon, and limes, to name a few. Fruit in the form of liquid should be 100% juice.

As a general guideline, because individual needs vary according to age, sex, and activity levels, people should eat (or drink) 2 cups each day from this food group.

Blue Food Group:  Milk / Dairy

The Milk / Dairy group consists of three categories: milk, yogurt, and cheese. As a general guideline, because individual needs vary according to age, sex, and activity levels, children ages
2 - 8 should eat or drink 2 cups, and people over 8 should eat or drink 3 cups from this food group.

Some Milk / Dairy foods:  milk, hard cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella, soft cheeses like ricotta and cottage cheese, yogurt, frozen yogurt, ice cream, and milk-based puddings.

Purple Food Group:  Meats / Beans

The Meats / Beans groups consists of proteins from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans or peas (also in the Vegetable group), eggs, nuts, and seeds. As a general guideline, because individual needs vary according to age, sex, and activity levels, people should eat 5 1/2 ounces from this food group.

Some Meat / Beans foods:  beef, chicken, eggs, navy beans, lima beans, lentils, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, catfish, salmon, shrimp, and tuna

Yellow Recommendations:  Oils

Most oils (fats) are obtained from the foods we eat like nuts, certain fish, olives, avocados and other plants, cooking oils, and salad dressings. According to a person's age, children's allowances range from 3-6 teaspoons and adult allowances range from 5-7 teaspoons each day.

Pictures and more information on the food pyramid and food groups can be viewed in this brochure from the MyPyramid website.