Wellness Department -
On the Eighth Day of Wellness...12 Days of Wellness
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There are six different food groups in the new MyPlate. The foods in each group have similar nutrition contents. A healthy balanced diet is one that contains foods from all of the six food groups every day, in the right amount. Such a diet is likely to supply your body with all its nutritional needs. Included with the five food groups is an additional groups of drinks. Here are the seven groups:
Grains
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. Grains are divided into 2 subgroups, whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm. Examples are
whole-wheat flour,
bulgur (cracked wheat),
oatmeal, and
brown rice. Refined grains have been milled, a process that removes the bran and germ. Examples are white rice and white bread.
Protein Foods
All foods made from meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds are considered part of the Protein Foods Group.
Dairy
All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Most Dairy Group choices should be fat-free or low-fat. Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group. Foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not. Calcium-fortified soymilk (soy beverage) is also part of the Dairy Group.
Vegetables
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. Vegetables are organized into 5 sub groups: Dark green vegetables such as broccoli & spinach, orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes, beans and peas such as black beans and kidney beans, starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes and finally other vegetables such as: avocado, cauliflower, tomatoes, and beets.
Fruits
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, pears, peaches, oranges and melons.
Oils
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. Oils are NOT a food group, but they provide essential nutrients. Therefore, oils are included in USDA food patterns.
Some common oils are: canola oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil.
Drinks
Drinks include water, canned drinks, tea, and coffee.
Activity for Today: try and combine all five groups into a wonderful healthy meal and determine your daily allowance for these groups by visiting http://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate/index.aspxand entering your personal information.
Mark on your Calendar: List one thing from each of the 5 groups you had today and write down the daily allowance for fruits for your age and gender.
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