What are the food groups that together make up a balanced diet?

Answer 1

A balanced diet consists of a healthy combination of foods in all the food groups. These include vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, proteins and oils.

Vegetables:

Get plenty of these; preferably unsalted and not fried. Try to vary the types of vegetables you eat.

Fruits:

Like vegetables, these contain healthy vitamins and antioxidants. They also have fructose, so don't overdo it.

Grains:

Get plenty of these. Whole grain products such as whole wheat breads, brown rice and oatmeal are the healthy types.

Dairy:

The calcium in milk is an essential part of a balanced diet. Dairy products including cheese and yogurt also count towards your dairy needs.

Proteins:

This group includes meat (preferably lean), beans, fish, nuts and seeds. Try to eat a combination of each of these foods throughout the week.

Oils:

Oils play an important role in the food pyramid because they allow us to consume unsaturated (healthy) fat. There are also certain foods that count towards your oil goal such as almonds, salmon, sardines and avocados. Olive oil is very healthy.