Which of the following is not a category of food in the USDA's MyPlate recommendations: juices, fruits, grains, oils?

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

The USDA's MyPlate initiative was launched in 2011 to provide a clearer, more accessible visual guide for healthy eating, replacing the outdated Food Pyramid. This simplified plate graphic is a powerful reminder of how to balance your diet, but what about smaller food components like juices and oils? When asked, "Which of the following is not a category of food in the USDA's MyPlate recommendations: juices, fruits, grains, oils?", the correct answer may surprise some who focus solely on the primary plate sections.

Quick Summary

An analysis of the USDA's MyPlate guidelines reveals that while fruits, grains, and oils are all included in the recommendations, juices are not a stand-alone category. Instead, 100% fruit and vegetable juices fall under their respective whole food groups.

Key Points

Juices are not a food group: Unlike fruits and grains, juices are not a standalone category in MyPlate recommendations.
Whole fruits are emphasized: MyPlate recommends that at least half of your daily fruit intake comes from whole fruits rather than juice.
Oils are a separate component: Oils are not one of the five primary food groups, but are included as a dietary component with specific recommendations for healthy fat intake.
MyPlate promotes whole foods: By including juices within the fruit and vegetable categories, the recommendations encourage the consumption of more fibrous, whole-food options.
Guidance on fats: MyPlate guidelines provide important information about healthy oils (unsaturated fats) and unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fats), even though oils aren't a core group.
Primary MyPlate food groups: The five core groups featured on MyPlate are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

Decoding the MyPlate Model

The USDA's MyPlate is a visual guide that serves as a modern tool for building a healthy, balanced diet. It visually divides a plate into four main sections: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, and Protein, with a smaller circle representing Dairy. This simple diagram was developed to be more intuitive than the previous Food Pyramid. While the five core food groups are front and center, the recommendations also include guidance on other dietary components, such as oils and beverages. However, the way these items are categorized is not always what people expect.

Fruits vs. Juices: The Critical Distinction

When evaluating the options provided—juices, fruits, grains, and oils—one stands out as not being a separate category on its own. The answer is juices. While 100% fruit and vegetable juices are part of the broader recommendations, they are not presented as a distinct category on the MyPlate icon. Instead, they are included within the larger Fruit and Vegetable groups, respectively.

Fruits: The Fruit Group includes all fruits and 100% fruit juice, emphasizing that at least half of your fruit intake should be from whole fruits, which contain more dietary fiber.
Vegetables: Similarly, the Vegetable Group encompasses all vegetables and 100% vegetable juice.

This distinction is important because whole fruits and vegetables provide more fiber and nutrients than their juice counterparts, which are often high in sugar and calories. The MyPlate guidance implicitly encourages a shift towards whole foods by not giving juices their own primary category.

The Role of Grains, Oils, and Other Components

Beyond fruits and juices, the other items listed have different relationships with MyPlate recommendations. The Grains group is one of the four main plate sections. The recommendations emphasize making at least half of your grain choices whole grains. This is a crucial detail for ensuring adequate fiber and nutrient intake.

Oils, on the other hand, are handled differently. They are not one of the five primary food groups shown on the MyPlate icon, but they are an essential part of a healthy diet and are included in the overall USDA recommendations. The guidance specifies that a small amount of oil is beneficial for essential fatty acids and Vitamin E. MyPlate provides recommended daily allowances for oils and highlights the difference between healthy unsaturated fats (like olive or canola oil) and saturated fats (like butter).

Why Juices Don't Get a Full Category

From a nutritional standpoint, the decision to not grant juices their own category is intentional. High intake of fruit juice, even 100% juice, has been linked to higher calorie intake and less fiber compared to eating whole fruit. By nesting juices within the fruit and vegetable groups, the MyPlate guidelines subtly push consumers towards the more nutrient-dense, whole versions. This helps to reduce the consumption of added sugars and promotes satiety through dietary fiber.

Comparison Table: Juices vs. Whole Fruits


Feature	100% Fruit Juice	Whole Fruit
MyPlate Category	Included within the broader Fruit Group.	Primary component of the Fruit Group.
Nutritional Profile	Contains vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars, but lacks most dietary fiber.	Contains vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars, plus significant dietary fiber.
Satiety (Fullness)	Less filling due to the lack of fiber, making it easier to consume excess calories.	More filling and satisfying due to fiber and water content.
Sugar Intake	Can lead to a rapid spike in blood sugar due to quick absorption of sugars.	Slower absorption of natural sugars due to the presence of fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar.
Serving Guidance	Recommended to be consumed in moderation and count for only a portion of daily fruit intake.	Encouraged as the primary source for meeting daily fruit requirements.

Conclusion: Understanding the MyPlate Nuances

In summary, the key to understanding MyPlate is recognizing that not all food-related items are treated equally. The answer to the question "Which of the following is not a category of food in the USDA's MyPlate recommendations: juices, fruits, grains, oils?" is juices. While juices are included in the guidelines, they are not a stand-alone category like Fruits, Grains, and the supplementary Oils. MyPlate emphasizes whole fruits and vegetables as the preferred option due to their higher fiber content, and it highlights oils as a necessary but distinct dietary component. This nuanced approach helps Americans make healthier, more informed dietary decisions beyond just the core plate representation.

For Further Reading:

For more detailed information on healthy eating based on USDA recommendations, explore the official MyPlate website: MyPlate.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Juices and oils are not core food groups. The five core groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy. Juices are a component of the fruit and vegetable groups, while oils are a separate, necessary component.

Yes, 100% fruit and vegetable juices are included, but they fall under the Fruit and Vegetable groups, respectively. The guidelines recommend prioritizing whole fruits and vegetables, as they contain more fiber.

Oils are not a main food group because they are not meant to be consumed in the same large quantities as fruits, vegetables, or grains. However, they are still a necessary part of a healthy diet due to their essential nutrients.

The main difference is dietary fiber. Whole fruits contain fiber, which helps with digestion and satiety, while most fruit juice lacks this fiber. MyPlate emphasizes consuming whole fruits for this reason.

MyPlate provides recommendations on the type of oils to consume, favoring unsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, nuts, and fish over saturated fats found in animal products. It also provides daily allowance guidelines based on calorie needs.

On the MyPlate icon, juices are not shown as a separate section. The symbol emphasizes drinking water or other low-calorie beverages, with 100% fruit or vegetable juice counting towards a fruit or vegetable serving.

Yes, the Food Pyramid treated oils and fats differently. The 1992 version placed 'fats, oils, and sweets' at the very top, to be 'used sparingly'. MyPlate offers more nuanced guidance, differentiating between healthy and unhealthy fats.