Nutrition and Food Groups

Kristina Runde

Grade 5

What is Nutrition?

By definition, nutrition is the materials necessary to support life1.

In other words, it’s the food we eat to keep us alive and breathing.

This is considered our “daily diet”.

1 http://www.about-personal-growth.com/nutrition.html

“Diets” Diets can be healthy,

unhealthy, strict (perhaps if you are trying to lose weight), or none of the above.

Regardless, the foods that you eat are part of your “diet”.

What does your diet consist of?

Food Groups Every food in our diet can be placed in a

specific “food group”, depending on the ingredients.

5 groups: Grains Vegetables Fruits Meat/Protein Dairy

The Food Pyramid

Grains

Examples: Bread, Rice, Crackers, Pasta, Pancakes, Cereal

6-11 servings per day

Vegetables

Examples: Broccoli, Corn, Lettuce (Salad), Green Beans, Celery, Carrots

3-5 servings per day

Fruits

Examples: Bananas, Apples, Oranges, Watermelon, Grapes, Peaches

3-5 servings per day

Meat/Protein

Examples: Chicken, Turkey, Nuts, Peanut Butter, Eggs, Beef

2-3 servings per day

Dairy

Examples: Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Pudding

2-3 servings per day

Fat/Sweets

Fats are not considered a “food group”

Examples: Cake, Cupcakes, Oils, Sugar, Candy

Eat sparingly (not often)

A lot of sugar and calories

Stay Healthy

All foods have different nutrients that are important for the human body (some foods more than others).

In order to keep your body healthy, you need to eat a balanced diet: Foods from each group Follow the recommended servings

Save yourself the trouble… Eat healthy, be healthy, and stay healthy!