Food Pyramid balances foods

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The Food Pyramid balances foods in the amounts needed to make sure that you get all of the energy and vitality you need. You can see at a glance that most of your food should come from the bread, cereals and potato shelf and from the Fruit and Vegetables shelf with a smaller, but important contribution from milk, cheese and yogurt and from meat, fish and alternatives. Fats, biscuits, cakes, confectionery and high fat snack foods can be enjoyed as part of a healthy eating plan, but in limited amounts. - Choosing foods from each shelf of the Food Pyramid in the amounts suggested on pages 8 and 9 will provide you with the balance of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals you need each day. The more active you are, the higher your energy needs will be.

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Extra energy should come from the bread, cereals and potatoes shelf and from the Fruit and Vegetables shelf Keep in mind that foods which contain similar nourishment are grouped together and can be interchanged. This allows you flexibility in the food you choose from each shelf and provides the variety you need for good health.

So, for example, if you have a child who is not a great vegetable eater, don't worry, try raw vegetable' and offer them more fruit instead - plenty of variety is the key to getting the balance right. Remember, there are no good or bad foods, it's how you combine food' each day that is important for getting the balance right.

All foods can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle, if they are eaten in reasonable amount in a varied eating plan.