The Main Food Groups
The circle of food is divided into segments showing the proportions of the main food groups that make up the basic healthy diet. Several governments have produced pictorial food guides like this, to make it easier to choose a healthy balance of food. It is not necessary to follow a strict regime or to work out exact percentages of different foods to eat: the human body is amazingly efficient at adapting to slightly higher or lower intakes. Although the total amount eaten will vary according to energy needs, this balance of foods from the different food groups is desirable for almost everyone from the the age of five.