Food Pyramid - What Counts as a Serving?

Food Group:

Suggested Daily Servings:

What Counts as a Serving:

Bread, Cereal Rice Pasta

Whole-Grain Enriched

6-11 Servings from entire Food Group, including several servings of whole-grain foods daily

1 slice of bread
1/2 hamburger bun
1/2 English muffin
a small roll, biscuit or muffin
5-6 small crackers
3-4 large crackers
1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice or pasta
1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal
1/2 Hamburger or 1/2 Hot Dog Bun
4-inch pita bread
1/4 cup cooked rolled oats
2 Tablespoons of uncooked grit
2 Tablespoons of Cream of Wheat
9 animal crackers
1 seven-inch flour or corn tortilla
1 four-inch pancake
2 corn taco shells
1/16 of two-layer cake
4 small cookies
1/2 medium donut
1/5 of a 10-inch angelfood cake
2 pretzel rods
2 cups popcorn
12 tortilla chips

 


 


Fruit Food Group

Citrus
Melon
Berries
Assorted Fruits
 
Options for prepared fruits such as canned and frozen varieties that are sugarless or that contain added sugar determined by individual.  Added sugar should be offset in calories.

2-4 Servings from entire Food Group

medium apple
medium orange
medium banana
other whole fruit such as pears
1/2 grapefruit
melon wedge
3/4 cup of real fruit juice
1/2 cup berries
1/2 cup of chopped, cooked, frozen or canned fruit
1/4 cup dried fruit
5 large strawberries
50 blueberries
30 raspberries
11 cherries
12 grapes
1 1/2 medium plums
2 medium apricots
1 medium avocado
7 melon balls
1/2 cup fruit salad 

 


 


Food Group:

Suggested Daily Servings:

What Counts as a Serving:

Vegetable Food Group

Dark-Green Leafy
Deep Yellow
Dried Beans & Peas (Legumes)
Starchy
Other Vegetables

3-5 Servings from entire Food Group and should include dark-green leafy vegetables and legumes several times per week

1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1/2 cup of chopped raw vegetables
1 cup of leafy vegetables such as lettuce or spinach
3/4 cup of vegetable juice
1/4 cup of dried/dehydrated vegetables
1 medium tomato
5 cherry tomatoes
3 broccoli florets
7-8 celery or carrot sticks
10 whole green onions
7 medium mushrooms
1 medium whole turnip
3/4 cup sweet potato
1 medium baked white potato
10 french fries
8 okra pods
1 medium ear of corn
4 medium brussel sprouts
6 asparagus spears
1 whole bell pepper
1 globe artichoke
9 snow or sugar peas
6 slices of squash
1/3 medium cucumber
1 cup bean soup
 

 

Milk, Yogurt, Cheese Group

Skimmed, low fat, sugarless options determined by individual and offset in total calories.
2 Servings from entire Food Group; 3 Servings for pregnant and nursing moms, and individuals age 24 and under
1 cup milk
1 cup yogurt
1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese
2 ounces of processed cheese
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup frozen yogurt
1 1/2 cups ice cream

 

Meats, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans & Peas, Eggs, Nuts

Meat should be lean and served without skin.
2-3 Servings from entire Food Group
5-7 ounces of cooked meat
1 egg
1/2 cup cooked beans
2 Tablespoons peanut butter = 1 ounce of meat

 

Fats, Sweets & Alcoholic Beverages

 
Use fats & sweets sparingly.  
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
Should not exceed 30% of total daily calorie intake

Return to Pyramid Diet Index

 

Information Source: USDA

Return to Pyramid Diet Index

 
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