How to Read the Food Pyramid

• Grains: Make half of your grains whole.
• Vegetables: Vary your veggies.
• Fruits: Focus on fruits.
• Oils: Know the limits on fats, as well as sugars and salt (sodium).
• Milk: Get plenty of calcium-rich foods.
• Meat and Beans: Go lean with protein.
• Activity: Find the right balance between food and physical activity.
• Gradual improvement: You can benefit from taking small steps to improve your diet and lifestyle.

Lessons From the Food Pyramid

• Your daily diet should include foods from all six food groups.
• It is recommended that you eat a wide variety of foods from each food group to get all of your vitamins and minerals.
• The new food pyramid emphasizes starches, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat milk and yogurt as part of a healthy diet.
• Your daily diet should include smaller amounts of low-fat proteins.
• Fats, oils, and sugary foods should constitute a small portion of your diet.

You can learn more about what the food pyramid represents at MyPyramid.gov. There you also can find the specific daily amounts that are right for you from each of the five major food groups.

*The USDA does not endorse any products, services, or organizations.