The Food PyramidJunior Science

Our bodies are unique, complicated machines.

Food is our fuel.

It gives us energy, vitamins, minerals, and special compounds or nutrients that keep us running smoothly.

There’s a lot to know about food and nutrition.

Knowing about the Food Guide Pyramid gives you a good start at having a balanced diet and living a healthy life style.

The Food Pyramid

The

Pyramid

is a guide for making

healthful food choiceswhich will ensure you get enough nutrients

in the correct proportions.

The Food Pyramid

Helps to….

Build an eating pattern based on a variety of plant foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Choose low fat dairy products and low fat foods from the meat and beans group each day.

Each group on the Pyramid contains certain nutrients.

If we eat foods from each group we’ll be sure to get all the nutrients we need.

The Food Pyramid Groups

In the long run if we don’t choose a healthy diet we have a greater chance of getting some

diseases such as…..

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Importance of a healthy diet.

Summary

The Food Pyramid is a guide for making healthful food choices which will ensure you get enough nutrients in the correct proportions.

Build an eating pattern based on a variety of plant foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Choose low fat dairy products and low fat foods from the meat and beans group each day.

We need between 55-60% carbohydrates, 25-30% Fats and

12-15% Protein as part of a balanced diet.

Class ActivityFood Diary

Analysis

Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group

1 slice of bread, About 1 cup of ready-to-eat

cereal, ½ cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta

Vegetable Group

1 cup of raw, leafy vegetables

½ cup of other vegetables, cooked or raw

¾ cup of vegetable juice

Fruit Group

1 medium apple, banana, orange, pear

½ cup of chopped, cooked, or canned fruit

¾ cup of fruit juice

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts

2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish

½ cup of cooked dry beans counts as one

ounce of lean meat

1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat

2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1/3 cup

of nuts counts as one ounce of meat

Milk Yogurt, and Cheese Group (Milk Group)

1 cup of milk or yogurt

1 ½ ounces of natural cheese (such as Cheddar)

2 ounces of processed cheese