1. Following a Balanced Food Plan
In this lesson, you will Learn About…
How to use the Food Guide Pyramid.
The five food groups.
How much of the different kinds of food you should eat.

2. Following a Balanced Food Plan
The Vocabulary term for this lesson is:
Food Guide Pyramid
Click the term to display its definition.

3. Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group
The Food Guide Pyramid
The Food Guide Pyramid divides foods into six groups.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group
Vegetable Group
Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta Group
Fats, Oils, and Sweets
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group
Fruits Group
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Resources, have provided the Food Guide Pyramid to help teens plan nutritious meals. The size of each section in the Pyramid gives teens a good idea of how much of each kind of food to eat everyday.
Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group – 6-11 servings
Vegetable Group – 3-5 servings
Fruits Group – 2-4 servings
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group – 2-3 servings
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group – 2-3 servings
Fats, Oils, and Sweets Group – eat small amounts

4. Nutrients in the Food Groups
Foods in the Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group:
Are rich in complex carbohydrates.
Contain certain vitamins and minerals.
Contain some protein.
Are rich in fiber.

5. Nutrients in the Food Groups (cont’d.)
Foods in the Vegetable and the Fruit Groups:
Are low in fat and high in carbohydrates.
Contain many vitamins, such as vitamin A and C.
Contain some minerals.
Contain fiber.

6. Nutrients in the Food Groups (cont’d.)
Foods in the Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group:
Are a major source of calcium.
Contain proteins, carbohydrates, and some vitamins.
Can be high in fat.
State that some foods in this group are high in fat.

7. Nutrients in the Food Groups (cont’d.)
Foods in the Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group:
Are high in protein.
Contain B vitamins, and minerals such as iron.
Can be high in fat.

8. Using the Food Guide Pyramid
The number of daily recommended servings for each food group depends on:
Age
Gender
Body size
Activity level

9. Using the Food Guide Pyramid (cont’d.)
Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group
6–11 servings
Vegetable Group
3–5 servings
Fruit Group
2–4 servings
Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group: 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of cereal, ½ cup cooked pasta, 1 tortilla, ½ cup cooked rice, ½ small bagel
Vegetable Group: ½ cup chopped raw vegetables, ½ cup cooked vegetables, 1 cup raw leafy vegetables, ¾ cup vegetable juice
Fruit Group: 1 medium apple, ½ cup chopped, cooked, or canned fruit, ¾ cup fruit juice, ¼ cup dried fruit
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group: 1 cup milk, 1 cup yogurt, 2 ounces processed cheese, such as American, 1 ½ ounces natural cheese, such as cheddar
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group: 2 to 3 ounces cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish; ½ cup tofu, ½ cup cooked dried beans, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 egg – these count as 1 ounce of meat.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group
2–3 servings
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group
2–3 servings

10. Reviewing Terms and Facts
What is the Food Guide Pyramid?
The Food Guide Pyramid is a daily guideline to help you choose what and how much to eat to get the nutrients you need.
Click to show the correct answer.

11. Reviewing Terms and Facts
For each food group, list the number daily recommended servings.
Food Groups:
Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta ________.
Vegetable Group ________.
Fruit Group ________.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group ________.
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group ________.
3-5
6-11
2-4
2-3
Click to show the correct answer.

12. Thinking Critically
Why does the Food Guide Pyramid recommend that a person eat only small amounts of the foods in the Fats, Oils, and Sweets Group?
Foods in the fats, oils, and sweets group provide energy, but few nutrients and therefore do not contribute to a nutritious eating plan.
Click to show the correct answer.

13. Vocabulary Review
The Food Guide Pyramid is a tool that provides a daily guideline to help you choose what and how much to eat to get the nutrients you need.
Click the slide to go back to the Vocabulary Review home page.