Nutrition Guidelines

Nutrition Guidelines

What is a Food Pyramid?

Typically, you need healthy and balanced food to complement their growing bodies. Balanced food includes proportionate amounts of food belonging to certain specific, but basic food groups, such as vegetables, grains, and so on.

Poll

have you ever seen this picture in the cafeteria?

• yes

• no

To make things easier with respect to understanding balanced food, a food pyramid is used.

Pyramid

It is a pyramid-shaped illustration that gives you a pictorial view of the various food items and their appropriate proportions that children must eat. In simple terms, it’s a food chart that gives you details about the required amount of fats, vitamins, and minerals, proteins and carbohydrates for you

A typical food pyramid (top to bottom) consists of:

• Top tapering layer – Food and drinks high in fat, sugar, and salt

• Second layer – Fats and oils

• Third layer – Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts

• Fourth layer – Milk, curds and other dairy products

• Fifth layer – Vegetables and fruits

• Sixth layer – Cereals and bread

The five basic food groups for kids that are part of the food pyramid are:

• Grains

• Vegetables

• Fruits

• Milk/Dairy

• Meat/beans /fish

• 
  

What is My Plate and How is it Different from Food Pyramid?

MyPlate is a colourful plate illustration that reminds people to eat a range of healthy foods and ensure that they eat less of some foods and more of other foods. The plate is divided into four parts and includes a separate section beside the plate, indicating a side order.

• Fruits and vegetables – half the plate

• Grains and protein – around one-quarter of the plate

• The divided portions pictorially give an idea about the required amount of nutrients.