USDA MyPlate Grains Group – One of the Five Food Groups (2024)

FAQs

What is one of the 5 food groups listed on MyPlate? ›

As the MyPlate icon shows, the five food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

What foods are in the Grains Group? Foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, grits, and tortillas are examples of grain products. Foods such as popcorn, rice, and oatmeal are also included in the Grains Group.

Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits are examples of grain products.

Grain Group.

The Pyramid recommends eating 6 to 11 servings of grain products each day; several should be whole-grain servings. One serving is defined as 1 slice of bread, 1 small roll or muffin, 1/2 of a bagel or croissant, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal, or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created MyPlate, an easy-to-follow food guide, to help parents to figure out how to feed their kids nutritious, balanced meals. The colorful divided plate includes sections for vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein foods.

The grain group includes foods such as bread, tortillas, rice, pasta, and breakfast cereals made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or other grains. Foods from this group provide B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), minerals (iron), and fiber.

Nutrients. Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, several B vitamins, and minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium).

Grains have been a staple of the American diet for many years. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, corn, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and grits are examples of grain products.

What is the healthiest grain to eat? ›

Overall, the Guidelines recommend that all Americans make half or more of their grains whole grains. For everyone age 9 and up, this means eating 3 to 5 servings or more of whole grains every day.

A diet high in whole grains has been shown to be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes,10 and reduced risk of gastrointestinal disorders. Whole grains could potentially play a role in lowering blood cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy body weight, and reducing risk of obesity.

MyPlate has sections for vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein foods, as well as a "cup" on the side for dairy. Color-coded sections — green for veggies, red for fruits, orange for grains, purple for protein, and blue for dairy — show at a glance how much of these foods to eat.

Spaghetti Bake. Spaghetti meets casserole in this nutritious, family-friendly recipe. Pasta, tomatoes, ground beef, and cheese—we've got all your favorite ingredients in one dish. Serve with a side of fruit to get all five food groups.