Are there 5 or 6 food groups? Understanding different dietary models

October 31, 2025 •

3 min read

Confusion over the number of food groups is common, as national and international guidelines have evolved over time. In reality, the most widely referenced models for building a healthy diet typically feature five or six distinct food groups, though the specific classification can vary significantly.

Quick Summary

The exact number of food groups, whether five or six, depends on the specific nutritional model being referenced, such as the USDA's MyPlate or various global guidelines. The primary difference lies in how certain categories like 'oils' or 'fats' are classified or whether fruits and vegetables are combined. All models aim to help consumers achieve a balanced diet.

Key Points

Different Models, Different Counts: The number of food groups, whether 5 or 6, depends entirely on the specific dietary model being referenced, such as the USDA's MyPlate or various international guidelines.
MyPlate Uses 5 Groups: The standard U.S. model, MyPlate, includes Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy as its five core food groups.
Oils as the Sixth: In many six-group models, the additional group is 'Healthy Fats and Oils', which are mentioned separately in the MyPlate system but are given their own category in other guides.
Categorization Differences: Some systems might combine fruits and vegetables, or further divide protein sources, leading to the varied counts.
Focus on Variety, Not Numbers: The key takeaway from all models is to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all fundamental categories to ensure a balanced diet.
Historical Changes: The classification of food groups has evolved over time, from older systems like the 'Basic Seven' to modern guides like MyPlate, reflecting new nutritional understanding.
Visual Guides Vary: Modern guides use different visual representations; MyPlate uses a place setting, while others have used pyramids or lists.

Why the confusion over the number of food groups?

The perception of whether there are 5 or 6 food groups largely depends on which dietary guide you are following. The USDA's MyPlate system, for instance, uses five core groups. Other guidelines, or historical models, might include a sixth group or categorize foods differently. This variation reflects different ways of communicating nutritional advice, such as separating fruits and vegetables or including healthy fats as a distinct group.

The 5 food groups according to USDA's MyPlate

The most current U.S. guideline, MyPlate, includes these five core groups:

Fruits: This group covers all fruits and 100% fruit juices, whether fresh, canned, frozen, or dried.
Vegetables: A diverse group including dark green, red and orange, starchy, and legume varieties.
Grains: Encompasses both whole grains (like brown rice) and refined grains (like white bread).
Protein Foods: A broad category including various meats, poultry, seafood, beans, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
Dairy: Includes milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy milk, as well as other calcium-rich alternatives.

MyPlate also acknowledges the importance of oils, which contain essential fatty acids, but classifies them separately from the main groups.

The 6 food groups model

Some dietary models, such as certain international guides or older classifications, use a six-group structure. A common six-group breakdown explicitly includes 'Healthy Fats and Oils' as a separate category. Other variations might split protein or combine fruits and vegetables. Explicitly including oils highlights their role in nutrient absorption and energy, which is mentioned separately in the five-group model.

A comparison of dietary models: MyPlate vs. a 6-group model


Feature	MyPlate (5-group model)	6-group model (varied examples)
Number of Core Groups	5 (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, Dairy)	6 (Often adds 'Healthy Fats and Oils')
Oil/Fat Classification	Emphasized separately, not a core group.	Explicitly included as its own core group.
Plate Visualization	Uses a plate graphic showing proportional servings.	Does not have a single standard graphic; often described via list or pyramid.
Fruits & Vegetables	Separate groups, with vegetables slightly larger on the plate.	Often combined into a single 'Fruits and Vegetables' group or kept separate.
Legumes/Beans	Classified within the vegetable group and also the protein group.	Clearly included within the protein or vegetable/legume group.
Focus	Simplified visual guide for easy meal planning and portion control.	May focus more on specific nutritional components and their importance.

Which model should you follow?

The specific number of food groups is less crucial than adhering to the principles of a balanced diet. Most modern nutrition guidance, regardless of the number of groups, emphasizes variety. Both the MyPlate and common six-group models stress including a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy or alternatives to ensure adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.

The Harvard Healthy Eating Plate provides another valuable visual guide, recommending half a plate of fruits and vegetables, a quarter whole grains, and a quarter healthy protein, along with healthy oils and water. This offers a similar approach to MyPlate with some different emphases.

The importance of context in food group models

Nutritional guidance has evolved, simplifying from older models like the 'Basic Four' or 'Basic Seven' to reflect current scientific understanding. A five-group model often prioritizes simplicity, while a six-group model might offer more detail by separating healthy fats. Understanding that the number varies by classification system helps clarify the confusion. The primary goal is always to encourage a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

Conclusion

There is no single, universal answer to whether there are 5 or 6 food groups; it depends on the specific dietary model used. The U.S. primarily uses the five-group MyPlate system, while others may use six groups, often by including oils as a separate category or combining fruits and vegetables. The key is not the exact number of groups but rather ensuring a varied intake of nutrient-rich foods from the core categories to support health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The five food groups in the USDA's MyPlate model are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

The confusion often arises from different nutritional guidelines. A six-group model typically includes 'Healthy Fats and Oils' as a distinct category, whereas the MyPlate system mentions oils separately from the five core groups.

In the USDA's MyPlate, Fruits and Vegetables are two distinct food groups. In other models, they might be combined into a single 'Fruits and Vegetables' category.

There is no single 'best' model, as they all aim to promote a balanced diet. The most important thing is to focus on the underlying principles of variety and moderation, drawing on foods from all fundamental categories.

In the MyPlate system, legumes (beans and peas) can be counted in either the Protein Foods group or the Vegetable group, as they provide nutrients from both categories.

The primary difference lies in the classification of fats and oils. In a six-group system, they are often a standalone group, while in a five-group system like MyPlate, they are discussed separately but are not one of the main groups.

No, the number of groups is a classification method, not a change in nutritional requirements. Whether using a 5- or 6-group model, the goal is always to consume a wide variety of foods to meet your body's needs for macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals.