Food is organized together in lists of groups that are characterized by similarities in the nutritional properties of the food. Some food groups have different groupings. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has groups of foods with groupings based on a dietary approach to stop high blood pressure, also called hypertension. The U.S. government lists food groups in a MyPyramid food plan. Whereas the MyPyramid food groups list has a meat and beans group, the list at the CDC has a meat, poultry and fish group.
Grains
Food in this group include whole wheat bread, crackers and cereal. Brown rice, unsalted popcorn and pretzels, whole wheat rolls, English muffins, grits and pasta are also part of this group. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests eating at least 3 oz. of grains every day.
Vegetables
Food in this group include carrots, broccoli and green beans. Other foods include spinach, potatoes, lima beans, sweet potatoes, green peas and kale.
Fruits
Food in this group include apples, oranges, nectarines, bananas, apricots and raspberries. Melons, mangoes, grapefruit juice, pineapples, dates and strawberries also fall under this category.
Milk
The MyPyramid plan lists milk as a food group, but it contains dairy products. Any liquid milk product is in this group as well as many foods made from milk, including cheese and yogurt. Products made from milk that have low-calcium content are not part of this group and include cream cheese, butter and cream.
Meat and Beans
Fish, poultry, meat and eggs are part of this group. Also, any food made with dry peas, dry beans, seeds and nuts are part of this group. Examples of food in this group include beef, tofu, chicken, almonds, cashews, cod, tuna, shrimp, peanuts and sunflower seeds.
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