The Food Pyramid

Many of us are already familiar with the "food pyramid." It's a basic introduction to the food groups that should make up a balanced diet.

The pyramid has been around since 1992, but it's updated regularly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is responsible for educating Americans about good nutrition and providing dietary guidelines.

Bagels Barley Breakfast cereals Granola Oat bran Pasta Rice bran Rye Sorghum, grain Wheat bran Whole wheat flour Whole grain breads

Beets Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Corn Cucumbers Leeks Lettuce Onions Parsley Peppers, sweet

Black-eyed peas Bog beans Broad beans Chickpeas Lentils Lima beans Mung beans Peanuts and peanut butter Pinto beans Red kidney beans Seed flour (sesame, sunflower) Soybeans and soy milk

Eat across the food pyramid.

If you haven't seen the pyramid lately, it looks different than it used to, but the principles behind it haven't changed. MyPyramid, the latest version, allows you to develop a "personalized" nutrition plan to suit your age, fitness level, gender, and other factors. Learn more by visiting the MyPyramid site.

MyPyramid color-codes the five major food groups, each of which provides valuable nutrients and plays a particular role in a sensible diet. Within those groups, you'll notice what we're proud to call "problem foods"- vegetables, grains, and beans.

Here's a quick overview of the pyramid's general recommendations:

Grains

• Represented by the orange section of the pyramid, the largest slice
• Includes breads, cereals, crackers, rice and pasta
• Eat 5-8 ounces of grains every day, emphasizing whole grain foods

Vegetables & Fruits

• Represented by the green and red sections of the pyramid
• Eat 2½ cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits every day
• Aim for variety, including more dark green and orange vegetables and legumes, and limit fruit juices.

Milk, Meat & Beans

• Represented by the blue and purple sections of the pyramid
• Includes yogurt, cheese, poultry, fish, dry beans, peas, eggs and nuts
• Emphasize low-fat or fat-free dairy and lean protein
• Eat 3 cups of dairy and 5½ ounces of foods in the meat and beans group every day

OILS

• Represented by the yellow section of the pyramid, the thinnest slice
• Eat salad dressings, oils, cream, butter, margarine, shortening, soft drinks, candies and sweet desserts sparingly, since they can be high-calorie and low-nutrition
• Emphasize "healthy fat" sources from fish, nuts and vegetable oils

Everyone can eat better with Beano

With Beano, you don't have to worry about gas or other discomfort after you eat your favorite vegetables, beans, or grains. Discover how Beano works and how to use it so that you can take full advantage of these foods' impressive health benefits.