

Refined grains (white flour) are processed, removing vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Whole grains (like whole-wheat flour) are more nutritious and have lots of dietary fiber that can help you feel fuller longer. The orange section of MyPlate is about one quarter of the plate.

Whole fruit is the best choice: Fruit juices have more sugar and calories per serving than whole fruit, and you're not getting the fiber.Īs with veggies, it's good to mix up your fruit choices: a colorful fruit cup is more than just pretty - it's a nutrition powerhouse. The red section of MyPlate is slightly smaller than the green, but together fruits and veggies should fill half your plate. Like veggies, fruits have vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The "eat your colors" message that you might have learned in grade school is a good one to follow throughout your life. Veggies are naturally low in calories, and the fiber in them helps us feel full.Ĭhoosing variety is important when it comes to vegetables: Dark green vegetables (like broccoli, spinach, and kale) provide different nutrients from orange and red vegetables (like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes). That's because vegetables provide many of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health. It's one of the largest sections on the plate. The vegetable portion of MyPlate is shown in green. If you regularly skip a group, over time you won't get the best nutrition.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed an easy-to-follow symbol: MyPlate. To help people make smart food choices, the U.S.
