Eating Healthy in the Residence Halls UTILIZING the NEW Food Pyramid

The New Look!

The 6 New Food Groups Vegetables Grains Fruits Meats and Beans Milk Oils

What is a “Healthy Diet?” A healthy diet as one that : Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

Inside the Pyramid

What is in the Grain 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.

What is in the Vegetable Group? Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the vegetable group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed. Some commonly eaten vegetables are: broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce, squash, artichokes, celery, corn, and potatoes.

What is in the Fruit Group? Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed. Some commonly eaten fruits are: Apples, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, oranges, peaches, raisins, avocado.

What is in the Milk Group? All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group, while foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not. Most milk group choices should be fat-free or low-fat. Some commonly eaten choices in the milk, yogurt, and cheese group are: ice cream, flavored milks, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, fat-free yogurt.

What is in the Meat & Beans Group? All foods made from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans or peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds are considered part of this group. Dry beans and peas are part of this group as well as the vegetable group. Most meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat. Fish, nuts, and seeds contain healthy oils, so choose these foods frequently instead of meat or poultry.

What is in the Oils Group? Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature, like the vegetable oils used in cooking. Oils come from many different plants and from fish. Some common oils are: Canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil. Some oils are used mainly as flavorings, such as walnut oil and sesame oil. A number of foods are naturally high in oils, like: nuts, olives, avocados, some fish. Foods that are mainly oil include mayonnaise, certain salad dressings, and soft (tub or squeeze) margarine with no trans fats. Check the Nutrition Facts Label to find margarines with 0 grams of trans fat.

How Much Should a College Female Eat? Grains- 6 ounces (at least 3 whole grains a day) Veggies- 2.5 Cups Fruits- 2 Cups Milk- 3 Cups Meat & Beans- 5.5 ounces Oils- Aim for 6 teaspoons a day (make sure to limit your extras)

How Much Should a College Male Eat? Grains- 9 ounces (at least 4.5 whole grains a day) Veggies- 3.5 Cups Fruits- 2 Cups Milk- 3 Cups Meat & Beans- 6.5 ounces Oils- Aim for 8 teaspoons a day (make sure to limit your extras)

Tips to Help You Make half of your grains whole Vary your veggies Focus on fruit Get your calcium rich foods Go lean with protein Find your balance between food and physical activity

Citations http://www.mypyramid.gov/index.html Submitted by Nicole Gray, University of West Georgia