The Food Pyramid

The  food pyramid is a representation of the optimal number of servings to be eaten each day from each of the basic food groups. The first pyramid was published in Sweden in 1974. The 1992 pyramid introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was called the “Food Guide Pyramid” or “Eating Right Pyramid”. It was updated in 2005 to “MyPyramid“, and then it was replaced by “MyPlate” in 2011.

Balanced diet is a key to stay healthy.

 Grains should be taken as the major dietary source. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Have a moderate amount of meat, fish, egg, milk and their alternatives. Reduce salt, fat/ oil and sugar. Trim fat from meat before cooking. Choose low-fat cooking methods such as steaming, stewing, simmering, boiling, scalding or cooking with non-stick frying pans. Also reduce the use of frying and deep-frying. These can help us achieve balanced diet and promote health.

How much of different kinds of food should I eat to stay healthy?
 

Eat the Right Food

Since different foods have different nutritional values, it is not possible to obtain all the nutrients we need from a single food. According to the Healthy Eating Food Pyramid, we have to eat a variety of foods among all food groups as well as within each group in order to get different nutrients and meet our daily needs.
 

Eat the Right Amount

Neither eating too much nor too little is good for our health. Every day, we need a specific amount of nutrients to maintain optimal health. If we do not eat enough, under-nutrition and symptoms of deficiency are likely to develop; while over-nutrition and obesity can be resulted when we consume an excessive amount of any type of food. Therefore, we have to eat right amount of food to stay healthy. 

Healthy eating food pyramid

• Eat Most – Grains
• Eat More – Vegetables and fruits
• Eat Moderately – Meat, fish, egg and alternatives (including dry beans) and milk and alternatives
• Eat Less – Fat/ oil, salt and sugar
• Drink adequate amount of fluid (including water, tea, clear soup, etc) every day

Healthy Eating Food Pyramid for Children (aged 2 to 5)

• Grains: 1.5 – 3 bowls
• Vegetables: at least 1.5 servings
• Fruits: at least 1 serving
• Meat, fish, egg and alternatives: 1.5 – 3 taels
• Milk and alternatives: 2 servings
• Fat/oil, salt and sugar: eat the least
• Fluid: 4 – 5 glasses

Healthy Eating Food Pyramid for Children (aged 6 to 11)

• Grains: 3 – 4 bowls
• Vegetables: at least 2 servings
• Fruits: at least 2 servings
• Meat, fish, egg and alternatives: 3 – 5 taels
• Milk and alternatives: 2 servings
• Fat/oil, salt and sugar: eat the least
• Fluid: 6 – 8 glasses

Healthy Eating Food Pyramid for Teenagers (aged 12 to 17)

• Grains: 4 – 6 bowls
• Vegetables: at least 3 servings
• Fruits: at least 2 servings
• Meat, fish, egg and alternatives: 4 – 6 taels
• Milk and alternatives: 2 servings
• Fat/oil, salt and sugar: eat the least
• Fluid: 6 – 8 glasses

Healthy Eating Food Pyramid for Adults

• Grains: 3 – 8 bowls
• Vegetables: at least 3 servings
• Fruits: at least 2 servings
• Meat, fish, egg and alternatives: 5 – 8 taels
• Milk and alternatives: 1 – 2 servings
• Fat/oil, salt and sugar: eat the least
• Fluid: 6 – 8 glasses

Healthy Eating Food Pyramid for Elderly

• Grains: 3 – 5 bowls
• Vegetables: at least 3 servings
• Fruits: at least 2 servings
• Meat, fish, egg and alternatives: 5 – 6 taels
• Milk and alternatives: 1 – 2 servings
• Fat/oil, salt and sugar: eat the least
• Fluid: 6 – 8 glasses
• 1 tael is equivalent to about 40 grams (raw meat).

The above recommendations are intended for healthy individuals only. Those with chronic diseases and specific nutritional needs should consult their family doctors and dietitians for individualized dietary recommendations.

Food Exchange List:

1 bowl of grains is equivalent to:

• Cooked rice, 1 bowl
• Cooked noodles, 1¹⁄₄ bowls
• Bread, 2 slices

1 serving of vegetables is equivalent to:

• Cooked vegetables, ¹⁄₂ bowl
• Raw vegetables, 1 bowl

1 serving of fruit is equivalent to:

• Medium-sized apple, 1 piece
• Kiwi, 2 pieces
• Fruit cuts, ¹⁄₂ bowl

1 tael of meat is equivalent to:

• Cooked meat, 4-5 slices
• Egg, 1 piece
• Silky tofu, 1 piece

1 serving of milk and alternatives is equivalent to:

• Low-fat milk, 1 cup (240ml)
• Low-fat cheese, 2 slices
• Low-fat plain yogurt, 1 pot (150ml