3-16 The Food Pyramid

The Food Pyramid consists of six food groups.  The food groups are Grain, Vegetables, Fruits, Oils, Milk, and Meats.  The food groups are as follows:

Grain Group

Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product.  Oatmeal, cereals, tortillas, grits, bread, and pasta are considered grain products.  There are two types of grain products; whole grain and refined grains.  Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel - the bran, germ, and endosperm.  Some examples of whole grain are:

Refined grains have been milled.  This process removes the bran and germ.  The milling process gives the grain a finer texture and improves the shelf life of the product made from refined grain.  The refining process also removes the dietary fiber, iron, and vitamin B.  Examples of refined grain products are:

Most refined grains are enriched, meaning thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, and iron are added back into the product.

Vegetable Group

Any vegetable or vegetable juice is considered a member of the vegetable group.  Vegetables are organized into five subgroups.  These subgroups are:

Fruit Group

Any fruit or fruit juice is considered part of the fruit group.  Some common fruits are:

Oil Group

Oils are fats that are a liquid at room temperature.  Oils come from plants and animals.  Some common oils are:

Some oils are high in saturated fats and should be considered solid fats.  Some solid fats are:

Milk Group

Most products and foods made from milk are considered part of the milk group.  A food made from milk that retains the calcium content is part of the milk group.  Since butter, cream cheese, and cream contain little or no calcium, they are not a part of the milk group.  Members of the milk group are:

Meat Group

Foods from meat, poultry, fish, dried beans and peas, eggs, nuts, and other seeds are in the meat group.  Dried beans and peas are also considered a part of the vegetable group.  Some examples of the meat group are:

1. The Food Pyramid has food groups.

2. There are two types of grain products; grain and refined grains.

3. Oatmeal is considered a

Whole grain.

Refined grain.

4. Black beans are considered a part of the

Milk Group

Grain Group

Vegetable Group

None of the above.

5. Pumpkin seeds are considered a part of the

Grain Group

Vegetable Groups

Oil Group

Meat Group

6. Oils come from plants and .

7. Since butter comes from milk, it is part of the Milk Group.

True

False

8. Which of the following is part of the Meat Group?

Walnuts

Peanut Butter

Ham

All of the above.

9. Papaya is a part of the

Meat Group

Fruit Group

Vegetable Group

None of the above.

10. Black-eyed peas are considered part of the

Milk Group and Meat Group

Vegetable Group and Fruit Group

Meat Group and Vegetable Group

None of the above.

11. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel - the , germ, and endosperm.

12. Foods from poultry, fish, dried beans and peas, eggs, nuts, and other seeds are in the meat group.

True

False

13. Oils high in saturated fats are butter, margarine, and shortening.

True

False

14. The refining of grain removes the bran and germ.

True

False

15. Many beans and peas are considered a part of the Fruit Group and the Vegetable Group.

True

False