Collection of foods that share similar nutritional properties or biological classifications
A food group is a collection of foods that share similar nutritional properties or biological classifications. Lists of nutrition guides typically divide foods into food groups, and Recommended Dietary Allowance recommends daily servings of each group for a
healthy diet. In the United States for instance, the
USDA has described food as being in from 4 to 11 different groups.[1]
The
USDA promoted eight basic food groups prior to 1943, then seven basic food groups until 1956, then four food groups. A food pyramid was introduced in 1992, then MyPyramid in 2005, followed by MyPlate in 2011. Dietary guidelines were introduced in 2015 and slated to be rereleased every five years. The 2020 guidelines were to be released in spring 2020.[2]
The most common food groups
Dairy, also called milk products and sometimes categorized with
milk alternatives or meat, is typically a smaller category in
nutrition guides,[3][4][5] if present at all, and is sometimes listed apart from other food groups.[3][4] Examples of dairy products include milk, butter,
ghee,
yogurt,
cheese, cream and ice cream. The categorization of dairy as a food group with recommended daily servings has been criticized by, for example, the
Harvard School of Public Health who point out that "research has shown little benefit, and considerable potential for harm, of such high dairy intakes. Moderate consumption of milk or other dairy products—one to two servings a day—is fine, and likely has some benefits for children. But it’s not essential for adults, for a host of reasons."[6]
Fruits, sometimes categorized with vegetables, include
apples,
oranges,
bananas,
berries and
lemons. Fruits contain carbohydrates, mostly in the form of sugar as well as important vitamins and minerals.
Cereals and legumes, sometimes categorized as grains, is often the largest category in nutrition guides.[3][4][5] Cereal examples include
wheat,
rice,
oats,
barley,
bread and
pasta. Legumes are also known as pulses and include beans,
soy beans,
lentils and
chickpeas. Cereals are a good source of
starch and are often categorized with other starchy food such as potatoes. Legumes are good source of essential amino acids as well as carbohydrates.
Confections, also called sugary foods and sometimes categorized with
fats and
oils, is typically a very small category in nutrition guides, if present at all, and is sometimes listed apart from other food groups.[3][4] Examples include
candy,
soft drinks, and chocolate.
Vegetables, sometimes categorized with fruit and occasionally inclusive of
legumes, is typically a large category second only to
grains, or sometimes equal or superior to grains, in nutrition guides.[3][4][5] Examples include
spinach,
carrots,
onions, and
broccoli.
Water is treated in very different ways by different food guides. Some exclude the category,[5] others list it separately from other food groups,[3] and yet others make it the center[7] or foundation[8] of the guide. Water is sometimes categorized with
tea,
fruit juice,
vegetable juice and even
soup,[9] and is typically recommended in plentiful amounts.[10]
Uncommon food groups
The number of "common" food groups varies depending on who is defining them.
Canada's Food Guide, which has been in continual publication since 1942 and is the second most requested government document after the income tax form in Canada, recognizes only four official food groups, listing the remainder of foods as "another". Some of these "others" include:
Alcoholic beverage or Alcohol is listed apart from other food groups and recommended only for certain people in moderation by
Harvard's Healthy Eating Pyramid and the
University of Michigan's Healing Foods Pyramid,[11][8] while
Italy's food pyramid includes a half-serving of wine and beer.[12]
^Nestle, Marion (2013) [2002]. Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health. University of California Press. pp. 36–37.
ISBN978-0-520-27596-6.