Everyone wants to be healthy and fit, the problem is the idea that people have about being "healthy" is usually a form of deprivation or starvation in extreme cases. A safe way to ensure that your body is receiving the recommended amount for each food group is to consult the food pyramid. Even a child can enjoy using the food nutrition pyramid because there are pictures that illustrate the type of food you should eat and the amount in proportion to other food groups. A lot of people are aware that the food shown at the bottom of the pyramid should be the ones needed by the body in large amounts and the ones at the tip of the pyramid are the ones that should be avoided. In 1992, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) renamed the famous food pyramid into the Improved American Food Guide Pyramid.

The group at the bottom of the pyramid, indicating that a higher consumption of this food group is required, is the grains and group. It can include anything from breads, rice, pasta, cereals and basically all sources of carbohydrates. It is recommended that everyone, especially children, get about 6-11 servings of this group. The fiber found in food categorized in the grain group help regulate a person’s digestive and excretory systems. And everyone knows fiber is nature’s broom, it help you feel like your internal system is clean as well.

The second group includes the vegetables. Green, leafy, brightly colored, plant related food, that are rich in vitamins and minerals are included in these groups. Vegetables are rich in vitamins like A and C, potassium as well as fiber, and they are low in sodium, calories and fat. It is placed in the second level of the nutrition pyramid to show that it is the second in terms of recommended serving per day. On a daily basis, a person should consume about 3-5 serving of this group. A serving is equivalent to ½ cup cooked or raw vegetables. Keep in mind that the more processes a food product undergoes the greater amount of vitamins and minerals it loses.

The third group includes the fruits that a person eats. 2-4 servings of fruit each day can ensure that the body receives the nutrients it requires. Fruits are a great source of vitamins, fibers as well as sugar that gives the body energy. They are also low in fat and calorie that is why they are great snacks for people and children watching their weight.

The next important food group is the dairy group. Basically, we think of milk, cheese and yoghurt when we hear this group because they provide for the calcium needed by the bones and teeth, but they can also bring with them phosphorus, fiber, vitamin D and A. Dairy rich diets have also been proven to aide in the weight management efforts of most people. 2-3 servings of dairy each day is beneficial for the body.

Beans, nuts, poultry, meat and fish make up the next group. They are the rich sources of protein that are important in a person’s diet. The food pyramid suggests about 2-3 servings of this protein-rich group daily. They also provide the body with iron and zinc as well as vitamin B complex. The protein is what gives you the energy to perform everyday tasks.

Finally we have the fats, oils and sweets group. They are found at the tip of the pyramid to indicate that these are the food that the body does not need in large amounts. A small amount is enough and you do not need them daily because this is the group that contains high levels of fat and calories that is not good for the body at all. The food nutrition pyramid is a great way to follow through with any diet regimen and is a great tool that even children can use.