What Is the Food Pyramid?
The food pyramid is a guide that shows how to eat a balanced diet by choosing the right types and amounts of foods.
- The pyramid has layers, with the largest group (grains) on the bottom and the smallest (fats and sweets) at the top.
- The main food groups are: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein, and fats/sweets.
- Grains, like bread, rice, and pasta, give us the most energy because they contain carbohydrates.
- Eating too much sugar and not enough vegetables may make us feel tired, gain weight, or get sick more often.
How Each Food Group Helps You
Each part of the food pyramid plays a special role in keeping your body healthy, strong, and energized.
- Grains give your body energy to move, think, and grow.
- Vegetables and fruits provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber that help your heart, skin, and immune system.
- Protein foods like beans, eggs, and fish build muscles and repair cells.
- Dairy products give us calcium for strong bones and teeth.
- Fats give us energy and help our bodies absorb vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the food pyramid:
- The original food pyramid was created in Sweden in the 1970s and later adopted by many countries in different forms.
- MyPlate replaced the pyramid in the U.S. in 2011.
- Colorful plates are the healthiest! Different colors in fruits and veggies usually mean different nutrients.
- Fats aren’t the enemy—your brain comprises nearly 60% fat, and you need healthy fats to help it work!
Review
Let’s quickly recap what we learned about the food pyramid:
- What food group gives the most energy? Grains
- What food group gives you strong bones? Dairy
- Which food group should we eat the least of? Fats
- What food group helps build muscles? Proteins
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