The five food groups

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In Australia, foods are organised into five food groups. Foods are grouped according to the main nutrients they contain. This makes it easier for the concumer to choose foods that will give a balanced diet. The five food groups are:

1. breads and cerals
2. fruit and vegetables
3. meat and meat substitutes
4. milk and other dairy products
5. butter, margarine and oils

Eating a variety of foods from each ffod group daily is important if we wish to reduce the chances of an oversupply or undersupply of any one nutrient. This, in turn, will ensurewe get the nutrients needed for good health, well-being and growth. Missing out on one or more food groups will result in nutritional problems. The quantity of food we need to consume from each food group will vary from one individual to another depending on many factors, such as activity level, age, sex and stage of growth.