Health - Nurse's Corner

USDA Food Pyramid

Eating Healthy

Did you know that you can improve your grades (not to mention your frame of mind) when you eat breakfast each day? Many studies have shown that students do better in school after a good breakfast. So have a smoothie, a bowl of cereal or some toast for breakfast and start the day off right!

A balanced diet ensures that your body gets all the nutrients it needs. Here are the daily serving recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A description of serving sizes for each food group appears below the USDA Food Pyramid. Servings are not the size of restaurant portions!

What is a "Serving?"

Bread Group

1 slice of bread
1/2 hamburger bun or English muffin
a small roll, biscuit, or muffin
5 to 6 small or 3 to 4 large crackers
1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice, or pasta
1 ounce ready-to-eat cereal

Vegetable Group

1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1/2 cup chopped raw vegetables

1 cup leafy raw vegetables, such as lettuce or spinach

3/4 cup vegetable juice

Fruit Group

a whole fruit such as a medium apple, banana, or orange
a grapefruit half
a melon wedge
3/4 cup juice
1/2 cup berries
1/2 cup chopped, cooked, or canned fruit
1/4 cup dried fruit

Milk Group

1 cup milk
8 ounces yogurt
1-1/2 ounces natural cheese
2 ounces process cheese

Meat Group

Amounts should total 5 to 7 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry without skin, or fish a day.

Count 1 egg, 1/2 cup cooked beans, or 2 tablespoons peanut butter as 1 ounce of meat.

Fats and Sweets Group

Use fats and sweets sparingly.