The Six Food Groups

To have what's considered a healthy diet one must get a balanced amount of calories, carbs, proteins, fiber, fats, vitamins, etc. There are six food groups that are vital to eating well; they include: grains, vegetables, fruits, good fats & oils, dairy products or alternatives, and proteins.

• Grains - Contain carbs that give your body the energy it needs to get through the day. Breads, pastas, cerial, and rice all fit into this food group.

• Vegetables - Rich in nutrients that are hard to get from other foods such as calcium and iron. They also contain fiber that helps your body digest.

• Fruits - Also rich in nutrients your body needs such as Vitamin C and potassium.

• Good fats & oils - Not all fats should be avoided, Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts and some fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of heart disease and help reduce symptoms of depression and ADHD. Avocados, fish oils and egg yolks are other examples of foods with good fats.

• Dairy products or alternatives - Great source of Vitamin D, Calcium, B Vitamins and Protein. Cow's milk, yogurt, cheese and almond milk are all examples of dairy products or non-animal based alternatives.

• Proteins - Your muscles, organs and immune system are made up of mostly protein so it's necessary to eat this food group in order to stay strong and healthy. Generally people believe you have to eat meat to get protein but that isn't the case, there has been little to no distinguishing difference between animal proteins and vegetable proteins. Meats, eggs, fish tofu, beans, nuts and cheese are all good sources of protein.



Make sure you are getting a balanced amount of these six food groups in your daily food intake!