WHAT ARE FOOD GROUPS?

Canada 's Food Guide divides food into four groups. Here are the groups, and some examples of what kinds of foods go into them.

 

 

 

 

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

Lower Calorie Foods

Medium Calorie Foods

High Calorie Foods

Asparagus Lettuce

Apples Pears

Corn

Cabbage Mushrooms

Bananas Peas

Juice

Cauliflower Zucchini

Beets Pineapple

Potatoes

Celery

Berries Plums

Raisins

Cucumber

Broccoli Squash

Sweet potato

Green pepper

Carrots Tomatoes

Syrup packed canned fruit

Green/yellow beans

Oranges Watermelon

 

 

Peaches

 

GRAIN PRODUCTS

Lower Calorie Foods

Medium Calorie Foods

High Calorie Foods

Pita

Bagels Pasta

Cake

Plain bun, English muffin

Granola bars Rice

Pastries

Unsweetened cereals

Muffins Sweetened cereals

Pie

Whole grain breads

Oatmeal cookies Waffles

Sweet rolls

Whole grain cereals

Pancakes

 

MILK & ALTERNATIVES

Lower Calorie Foods

Medium Calorie Foods

High Calorie Foods

Skim and 1% milk

2% milk Low fat cheese

Cheese Ice cream

 

Cottage cheese Plain yogurt

Chocolate milk Milk shakes

 

 

Cream soups Puddings

 

 

Flavoured yogurt

MEAT AND ALTERNATIVES

Lower Calorie Foods

Medium Calorie Foods

High Calorie Foods

Canned Fish Seafood

Lean beef, lamb, pork and ham

Bacon Meat pies

Chicken Tofu

 

Baked Beans Nuts

Eggs Turkey

 

Chili Peanut butter

Fish

 

Luncheon meats Sausages

 

How much should we eat from each group?

 

“OTHER” FOODS

There are no bad foods, but there are many foods that tend to be high in salt, sugar and fat while being low in needed nutrients . Some examples would be chips, jam, pickles, candy, chocolate and condiments. Drinks such as pop and artificial fruit drinks would also fall into this category.

There's nothing wrong with children having these foods in moderation, as long as they are eating the recommended daily servings from the four food groups.