USDA MyPlate Fruit Group – One of the Five Food Groups (2024)

FAQs

What is one of the 5 food groups listed on MyPlate? ›

As the MyPlate icon shows, the five food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

The Fruit Group includes all fruits and 100% fruit juice. Fruits may be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated. Fruits can be eaten whole, cut up, pureed (mashed), or cooked. At least half of the recommended amount of fruit eaten should come from whole fruit, rather than 100% fruit juice.

In general, 1 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or 1/2 cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the Fruit Group.

MyPlate illustrates the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet: fruit, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. The food groups are from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Patterns. They were first identified as the basis for the Food Patterns in the early 1980s.

Eating a variety of fruits means eating a variety of essential vitamins and minerals needed to keep your body healthy. Fruits are low-fat sources of many important nutrients including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and many phytochemicals that help specific body functions.

Fruit is abundant in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Vitamins such as vitamin C and E and different phytochemicals may reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions. Potassium and magnesium found in fruit have also been linked to lower blood pressure.

MyPlate recommends eating between 1 and 2 cups of fruits every day, depending on your age, gender, and level of physical activity (Table 1).

What color is the section for fruit on the USDA MyPlate? ›

Color-coded sections — green for veggies, red for fruits, orange for grains, purple for protein, and blue for dairy — show at a glance how much of these foods to eat. MyPlate reminds us to: Choose variety: The best meals have a balance of items from different food groups. Make half of your plate vegetables and fruits.

Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the Fruit Group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed. Visit the Fruits Group page for more information on fruits.

Everyone should have at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. An adult portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g.

Summary: Botanically, fruits contain seeds and come from the flower of a plant, while the rest of the plant is considered a vegetable. In cooking, fruits are considered to be sweet while vegetables are more savory.

Farro, Cherry Tomato, and Asparagus Casserole

Serve up a slice of this healthy casserole with a side of fruit to get all five food groups for a complete meal.