MyPlate Food Guide

A balanced diet is made up of foods from the five food groups: starchy carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, protein, dairy and healthy fats. Each provides the range of vitamins and minerals our bodies need to function efficiently.

MyPlate has sections for vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein foods, as well as a “cup” on the side for dairy. Each section is color coded (green for veggies, red for fruits, orange for grains, purple for protein, and blue for dairy) so you can see at a glance how much of these foods to eat.

• choose variety — the best meals have a balance of items from different food groups.
• fill half your child’s plate with vegetables and fruits.
• make at least half the grains you serve whole grains, like oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice.
• serve fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk and water rather than sugary drinks.

MyPlate gives a simple picture of how to plate-out foods for more balanced meals. In addition to the new graphic, consumers can click on each section of the plate to learn more about each food group and why it is important for healthy living.

MyPlate is a reminder to find and build your healthy eating style. The MyPlate Plan shows your food group targets – what and how much to eat within your calorie allowance. Your plan is personalized, based on your age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level.

The purpose of MyPlate is to promote messages based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate emphasizes five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy products. Consuming balanced each of these food groups as recommended in MyPlate helps you build and maintain healthy bones.

Your MyPlate Plan – 2000 Calories, Ages 14+

• 2 cups. 1 cup from the Fruit Group counts as:
• 2½ cups. 1 cup from the Vegetable Group counts as:
• 6 ounces. 1 ounce from the Grains Group counts as:
• 5½ ounces. 1 ounce from the Protein Foods Group counts as:
• 3 cups. 1 cup from the Dairy Group counts as:

Per the USDA guidelines, you should create a healthy foundation for every meal by filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables….Here, Duggan suggests how to vary the foods you choose within each food group to get a wide range of essential nutrients in your diet:

• Vegetables.
• Fruits.
• Protein.
• Grains.
• Dairy.
• Fats.

20 Foods That Are Bad for Your Health

1. Sugary drinks. Added sugar is one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet.
2. Most pizzas.
3. White bread.
4. Most fruit juices.
5. Sweetened breakfast cereals.
6. Fried, grilled, or broiled food.
7. Pastries, cookies, and cakes.
8. French fries and potato chips.

Let’s explore the top 10 favorite foods in the world, their origin, and the reasons why they are so popular.

• Pizza. No list of the most popular food in the world can be complete without the inclusion of pizza.
• Pasta.
• Hamburger.
• Soup.
• Salad.
• Bread.
• Rice.
• Eggs.