What Are The Five Basic Food Groups?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, developed and continually updates its guidance for Americans on how to eat healthfully. The current guidelines are presented as a pyramid called MyPyramid: Steps to a Healthier You, and it classifies food into five, or sometimes six, different food groups. The size of the strip of the pyramid dedicated to each group indicates the appropriate proportion of daily servings from each food group, and the MyPyramid website offers additional tips for Americans who are concerned with eating a well-balanced and healthy diet.

Grains

The Grain Group is the largest food group, and it consists of any food made from wheat, rice, oats, barley or other cereal grains, according to the USDA. It can be divided into whole and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel, whereas refined grains have been milled to remove certain parts of the grain kernel. Common foods in the grain group include pastas, breads, rice, oatmeal, crackers and cereal--all of which are good sources of dietary fiber, B vitamins, folic acid and several important minerals. Refined grains often lack these important nutrients and the USDA recommends half of all grains eaten during any given day come from whole-grain sources.

Fruits and Vegetables

Often grouped apart, the Fruits and Vegetables Group is the second largest food group in MyPyramid. Vegetables are broken into five subgroups -- based on nutrient content---which include dark greens, orange vegetables, dry beans and peas, starchy vegetables and other vegetables. The Fruits Group includes any fruit--such as apples, bananas, berries and melons ---as well as fruit juices. Plenty of fruits and vegetables contribute to a healthy diet because they are often low in fat and calories, contain no cholesterol and provide essential nutrients such as potassium; vitamins A,C and E; folic acid and dietary fiber, according to the USDA.

Meat and Beans

The Meat and Beans Group is composed of meats, poultry, fish, dry beans or peas, eggs, nuts and seeds. The USDA also classifies dry beans and peas in the Vegetable Group. One of the most important nutrition benefits of the Meat and Beans Group is their high content of protein---which contains amino acids, the building blocks of life. Foods in the Meat and Beans Group are also high in B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium, according to the USDA. It is best to exercise moderation and consume lean or low-fat varieties of foods of this group as some are high in fats, saturated fats and cholesterol.

Milk

The Milk Group, also known as the dairy group, consists of liquid milk and any product made from milk such as cheese and yogurt. Foods derived from milk that do not retain calcium--such as cream, cream cheese and butter---are not included in the Milk Group, according to the USDA. Other milk products are high in calcium and vitamin D, which is important for bone health and osteoporosis prevention---a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. Milk is also rich in potassium and is a good source of protein. Choose low-fat or fat-free milk products, as whole or nearly whole milk products are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Oils

The Oils Group is the smallest food group and consists of the oils--fats that are liquid at room temperature--and solid fats such as butter and margarine, meat fat and shortening. Oils are derived from plant or fish sources and include vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil and walnut and sesame oil, among others. Certain oils are a major source of two important fats called polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that contain fatty acids essential to the body. They are also a major source of vitamin E, according to the USDA. However, oils and solid fats are high in calories and should be consumed in limited amounts.