Health and Fitness: The Five Food Groups

Hey guys! In this blog post, I am going to help you understand the five food groups and guide you on how it is good for your health. Keep reading this blog to find out the amount you should be consuming each day. 

The first group is the Vegetables Group. In my opinion, vegetables are the most important group out of all because it makes up a large part of your daily food. It is recommended to include at least a type of vegetable in every meal. Vegetables have vitamins and phytonutrients. Vitamins are an essential ingredient for your body; every vitamin has its own function. The most common types are vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K. Vitamins play hundreds of roles in your body. They help shore up bones, heal wounds, bolster your immune system, convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage. What are phytonutrients you may ask? They are the natural nutrients in plants. Everything in vegetables is good for your body, but keep in mind that there should be a limit. Experts say you should consume three to four servings of vegetables each day. 

The second group is the Fruits Group. Fruits are very similar to vegetables, but unlike vegetables, you don't have to include fruits in every meal, but you should have at least and no more than two servings each day. Why less than vegetables? The reason is that fruits contain sugar. Sugar is bad for you if you eat too much of it; it can even result in diabetes. Fruits provide the same nutrients as vegetables, including vitamins and phytonutrients. Different fruits have different vitamins. For example, lemons have more vitamin C than apples, while apples have more vitamin A than lemons. 

The third group is the Dairy Group, which includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. The foods in this group are excellent sources of calcium. Calcium strengthens your bones and teeth because it makes up 99% of your bones. Dairy products are essential for your health. It contains protein for fighting diseases, vitamins, potassium, and much more. Your body relies on potassium to function properly. Two to three servings a day are recommended for dairy products. 

The fourth group is the Grains Group. This is where most of our energy comes from because they include carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are basically the fuel for our muscles to work. Grains foods include bread, rice, noodles, cereal, and pasta, which is what we eat as a staple food every meal. Six to Eight servings a day is recommended; more than other food groups.

The fifth and final group is the Protein Group, also known as the "Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds" Group. As you can tell by the name, this is where you get your protein from. Protein builds, maintains, and repairs the tissues in our body. Muscles and organs, such as your heart, are made of protein. This is why you need to eat protein. How much should you eat then? Three to six ounces of cooked protein food each day is enough.

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I hope you have improved your knowledge today by reading my blog. Always remember that you shouldn't be eating too much of one thing and your meal should be balanced properly. Don't forget to stay healthy!