Which are the five food groups shown in the MyPyramid diagram?

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

The MyPyramid diagram, introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2005, replaced the original Food Guide Pyramid to provide more personalized nutrition guidance based on factors like age, gender, and activity level. This guide represented the five core food groups in vertical, colored bands rather than horizontal layers.

Quick Summary

The MyPyramid diagram featured five primary food groups—grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat & beans—represented by colored vertical bands, with a separate band for oils. It emphasized a personalized approach to a balanced diet and was eventually replaced by MyPlate in 2011.

Key Points

MyPyramid Diagram: Represented the five food groups using vertical, colored bands of different widths to suggest proportionality.
Grains (Orange Band): Provided energy from carbohydrates, with a focus on whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat bread.
Vegetables (Green Band): Highlighted a variety of colorful vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber to support overall health.
Fruits (Red Band): Encouraged diverse fruit intake for essential vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars.
Dairy (Blue Band): A source of calcium and Vitamin D, vital for bone health.
Protein (Purple Band): Represented a range of protein sources from both animal and plant origins.
Oils (Yellow Band): Represented healthy fats to be consumed in small amounts.
MyPyramid vs. MyPlate: MyPyramid was replaced by MyPlate in 2011, which offers a simpler, more visual guide based on a plate.

Understanding the MyPyramid Structure

Introduced in 2005, MyPyramid replaced the earlier Food Guide Pyramid, aiming for a more personalized approach to nutrition. Its design featured six colored, vertical bands representing the five food groups and oils, along with a figure illustrating physical activity. The colors indicated proportionality, but detailed recommendations were online, posing an accessibility issue.

The Grains Group (Orange Band)

The orange band represented the grains group, a source of carbohydrates for energy. MyPyramid encouraged whole grains over refined ones. These foods provide fiber, B vitamins, and minerals.

Recommended Sources: Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal.
Key Nutrients: Fiber, B vitamins.
Benefit: Provides energy and supports digestive health.

The Vegetables Group (Green Band)

The green band signified the vegetables group, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. MyPyramid advised consuming a variety of vegetables from different subgroups. They contain vitamins A and C, folate, iron, and fiber.

Recommended Sources: Leafy greens, carrots, broccoli.
Key Nutrients: Vitamins A and C, fiber.
Benefit: Supports overall health and reduces chronic disease risk.

The Fruits Group (Red Band)

The red band represented the fruits group, another source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A variety of fruits was recommended. Fruits are a good source of Vitamin C and folate.

Recommended Sources: Apples, berries, citrus fruits.
Key Nutrients: Vitamin C, fiber.
Benefit: Provides energy, antioxidants, and supports the immune system.

The Milk Group (Blue Band)

The blue band indicated the milk group (dairy), a key source of calcium for bone health. Alternatives were suggested for those unable to consume dairy. This group provides protein and Vitamin D.

Recommended Sources: Low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese.
Key Nutrients: Calcium, protein, Vitamin D.
Benefit: Essential for strong bones and teeth.

The Meat & Beans Group (Purple Band)

The purple band represented the protein group, labeled "meat and beans," essential for muscle health. It included both animal and plant-based proteins. Key nutrients include iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Recommended Sources: Lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, nuts.
Key Nutrients: Protein, iron, B vitamins.
Benefit: Supports tissue repair and provides satiety.

The Oils Group (Yellow Band)

A narrow yellow band represented oils. This wasn't a core food group but highlighted the need for healthy fats in moderation.

MyPyramid vs. MyPlate: A Comparison


Feature	MyPyramid (2005-2011)	MyPlate (2011-Present)
Visual Layout	Vertical, colored bands on a pyramid.	Plate graphic with sections.
Physical Activity	Included in graphic.	Addressed in materials.
Emphasis	Proportionality, personalization online.	Simplicity, portion control.
Food Groups	Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk, Meat & Beans, Oils.	Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Protein, Dairy.
Accessibility	Relied on website.	Intuitive visual guide.

The Evolution of Dietary Guidelines

MyPyramid aimed to modernize nutrition advice but its online reliance was a drawback. It was replaced by MyPlate in 2011, a simpler, plate-based model emphasizing plant-based foods. Both guides promoted healthier eating to combat diet-related health issues. This shift reflects ongoing efforts to make nutritional information clearer and more actionable.

Conclusion

The MyPyramid diagram featured five core food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat & beans, plus oils. This 2005 USDA guide aimed for personalized nutrition but was later replaced by the simpler MyPlate. MyPyramid played a role in the evolution of dietary guidelines, stressing variety, proportionality, and moderation for a healthy diet. For current guidelines, the official MyPlate website is a useful resource.

Keypoints

MyPyramid Diagram: Used vertical bands to show food groups and general proportions.
Grains (Orange): Source of carbohydrates and fiber, focusing on whole grains.
Vegetables (Green): Provided vitamins, minerals, and fiber from a variety of sources.
Fruits (Red): Offered vitamins and fiber from diverse fruits.
Dairy (Blue): Key source of calcium and Vitamin D for bone health.
Protein (Purple): Included both animal and plant-based protein sources.
Oils (Yellow): Represented healthy fats to be consumed in moderation.
MyPyramid vs. MyPlate: MyPlate replaced MyPyramid with a more accessible plate-based design.

Faqs

Q: When was the MyPyramid food guide introduced? A: MyPyramid was introduced by the USDA in 2005, replacing the Food Guide Pyramid.

Q: Did MyPyramid include physical activity recommendations? A: Yes, it included a figure on the side to highlight the importance of physical activity.

Q: What happened to MyPyramid? A: MyPyramid was replaced by MyPlate in 2011.

Q: What is the main difference between MyPyramid and MyPlate? A: MyPyramid used vertical bands; MyPlate uses a plate graphic.

Q: Why was MyPyramid considered less accessible than MyPlate? A: Detailed recommendations for MyPyramid were mainly online, creating an accessibility issue.

Q: What did the differently sized vertical bands in MyPyramid signify? A: The band widths suggested the recommended proportions of each food group.

Q: Was the oil group considered one of the five primary food groups in MyPyramid? A: No, oils were in a separate band and not one of the five core groups.

Q: What are the main benefits of using a food guide like MyPyramid? A: Benefits include promoting balanced nutrient intake and reducing the risk of diet-related diseases.

Q: How did MyPyramid improve upon the previous Food Guide Pyramid? A: MyPyramid offered more individualized recommendations based on personal factors.

Citations

Britannica: Food pyramid | Origins, History, Variations, Debates, & Facts. (2025)
ScienceDirect Topics: Food Guide Pyramid - an overview. (2025)
Wikipedia: Food pyramid (nutrition). (2025)
Harvard Health: Crumbling, confusing Food Pyramid replaced by a Plate. (2011)
Study.com: Food Pyramid Facts & Variations | What is a Food Pyramid? (2023)
Bupa: The food pyramid: what foods should we eat to stay healthy? (2025)
The Wise Choices Food Pyramid: (2007)
My pyramid ,my plate and Food pyramid | PPTX - Slideshare: (2018)
Healthy Eating Pyramid - The Nutrition Source: (2024)
MyPlate.gov: U.S. Department of Agriculture website

Frequently Asked Questions

The five main food groups in the MyPyramid diagram were grains, vegetables, fruits, milk (dairy), and meat & beans (protein).

Each colored band represented one of the food groups: orange for grains, green for vegetables, red for fruits, blue for milk, and purple for meat & beans. The widths of the bands suggested the recommended proportion of each food group.

MyPyramid was replaced by MyPlate in 2011 because its reliance on a website for personalized details was inaccessible to some, and the new plate-based design was considered a simpler, more intuitive visual guide.

The figure of a person running up the side of the MyPyramid diagram represented the importance of physical activity as a key component of a healthy lifestyle.

Yes, MyPyramid included a small yellow band for oils, representing healthy fats that should be consumed sparingly, similar to how fats and sugars were handled in previous food guides.

MyPyramid provided personalized recommendations based on factors like age, gender, and activity level through its accompanying website, a major update from previous, more generic food guides.

While the MyPyramid diagram's visual design was criticized for lacking clear hierarchy, the largest portion was generally dedicated to grains, especially whole grains, similar to the base of the previous Food Guide Pyramid.

The Meat & Beans group included lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and plant-based proteins such as beans, peas, nuts, and seeds.

The MyPyramid design used vertical colored bands instead of the original's horizontal tiers, a change meant to avoid implying that certain food groups were 'better' or 'worse' based on their pyramid placement.