Foods and Food Groups

Food Definition

Food is any edible material consisting of essentially of proteins, carbohydrates or lipids (fats) and/or minerals, vitamins and other micronutrients used in the body to sustain growth, repair and vital processes and to provide energy ^[1].

Foods include solid foods, beverages (including alcoholic beverages) and dietary supplements — according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Food Groups

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and their website ChoseMyPlate.gov, foods can be divided into 5 main groups ^[2]:

• Fruits
• Vegetables: dark-green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, starchy vegetables, legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and other vegetables
• Cereal grains: wheat, maize, oats, rice, etc.
• Proteins: meat, poultry, fish and other seafood, eggs, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), processed soy products, nuts and seeds
• Dairy: milk, cheese and other milk products

Other Possible Food Groups

• Water
• Alcoholic beverages
• Sugary foods, sweets or confections (candies, chocolate, desserts, soft drinks)