What is the Food Guide Pyramid that I keep hearing about? Is this like the 4, 4, 3, and 2 of the Four Basic Foods Groups that I learned about as a child?
The United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid has replaced the Four Basic Food Groups that you learned about as a child. The Food Guide Pyramid not only reflects changes in healthy eating requirements, but also addresses the fats, oils, and sugars that should be used sparingly. The bottom of the Food Guide Pyramid starts with 6 11 servings of cereals, breads, and grains and gradually works up to the foods we should rarely use like fats and sugars. The middle of the pyramid includes 3 – 5 servings from the vegetable group, 2 – 4 servings from the fruit group, 2 – 3 servings from the milk group, and 2 – 3 servings from the meat group.