Looking at the Pieces of the Pyramid

The Food Guide Pyramid emphasizes foods from the five food groups shown in the three lower sections of the Pyramid. Each of these food groups provides some, but not all, of the nutrients you need. Foods in one group can't replace those in another. No one food group is more important than another - for good health,

you need them all.

USE SPARINGLY

The small tip of the Pyramid shows fats, oils, and sweets. These are foods such as salad dressings and oils, cream, butter, margarine, sugars, soft drinks, candies, and sweet desserts. These foods provide calories and little else nutritionally. Most people should use them sparingly.

On this level of the Food Guide Pyramid are two groups of foods that come mostly from animals: milk, yogurt, and cheese; and meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts. These foods are important for protein, calcium, iron, and zinc.

This level includes foods that come from plants-vegetables and fruits. Most people need to eat more of these foods for the vitamins, minerals, and fiber they supply.

ERVINGS

At the base of the Food Guide Pyramid are breads, cereals, rice, and pasta - all foods from grains. You need the most servings of these foods each day.