Which of the following is not a MyPlate food group?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the USDA, MyPlate simplifies healthy eating into five key food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy. When asked which of the following is not a MyPlate food group, the answer is often a category that was part of older food guides or is a discretionary item. Understanding the distinction is crucial for making informed and nutrient-dense food choices.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies the five food groups that make up the USDA's MyPlate initiative and identifies common categories, like fats or sweets, that are not considered primary food groups. It provides a detailed comparison to older food guides like the Food Pyramid and outlines how to incorporate healthy options from each group for optimal nutrition.

Key Points

Not a MyPlate Group: Fats, Oils, and Sweets are not considered primary food groups in the MyPlate model, unlike previous dietary guides.
Five Core Groups: MyPlate is based on five foundational food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.
Focus on Nutrient Density: MyPlate emphasizes consuming nutrient-dense foods from the five core groups and limiting discretionary calories from added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
Evolution from Food Pyramid: MyPlate replaced the Food Pyramid, shifting the visual guide from a hierarchical structure to a balanced plate model.
Importance of Variety: The guidelines stress eating a variety of foods within each group, such as different colors of vegetables, to ensure a broad intake of nutrients.
Moderation, Not Elimination: While not a primary food group, healthy fats from sources like nuts and oils are still part of a healthy diet, but should be consumed in moderation.

Decoding the MyPlate Food Groups

Since its introduction in 2011, the USDA's MyPlate has become a modern symbol for healthy eating. It visually represents the five core food groups on a plate: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy. The purpose of MyPlate is to provide a simple, visual reminder to fill your plate with a variety of nutrient-rich foods, helping to guide dietary choices. By understanding which categories are included and which are not, consumers can better align their eating habits with current dietary recommendations.

The Answer: What Isn't a MyPlate Food Group?

So, which of the following is not a MyPlate food group? The most common answers to this question are Fats, Oils, and Sweets. While these items contain calories and are part of many diets, MyPlate guidelines categorize them as discretionary calories to be consumed in moderation, rather than a primary food group. MyPlate focuses on the five foundational groups that provide the most essential nutrients, encouraging the public to limit foods and beverages high in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Older food guides, like the Basic Seven and the Food Pyramid, included categories like "Fats, Oils, and Sweets" or even "Butter and fortified margarine" as separate groups. This shift in categorization reflects an updated understanding of nutrition, prioritizing nutrient density over mere calorie consumption.

Comparing MyPlate to Previous Dietary Guides

The evolution of USDA food guides shows a transition from broad categories to a more balanced, portion-focused approach. The MyPlate model represents a significant departure from its predecessor, the Food Guide Pyramid.


Feature	MyPlate (2011-Present)	Food Guide Pyramid (1992-2005)
Visual Representation	A dinner plate divided into four sections with a separate dairy circle.	A pyramid with wider base for grains and narrow top for fats and sweets.
Key Message	Focuses on balanced plate proportions: half fruits and vegetables, half grains and protein, with dairy on the side.	Emphasized a hierarchy of consumption, suggesting more from the base (grains) and less from the top (fats, oils, and sweets).
Treatment of Fats/Oils	Not a separate food group; recommendations are provided on the website for incorporating healthy oils.	Placed at the very top of the pyramid, with a message to "use sparingly".
Emphasis on Variety	Encourages variety within each food group, such as different types of vegetables.	Varied groups, but less visual emphasis on the importance of different food types within a group.

Understanding the Five MyPlate Food Groups

Fruits: Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts. The focus is on eating a variety of fruits, including fresh, frozen, canned, or dried options. Fruits provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Vegetables: This group includes all types of vegetables—dark green, starchy, red and orange, beans and peas, and other vegetables. Like fruits, they are packed with nutrients and fiber.
Grains: This group includes any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, or barley. A key MyPlate recommendation is to make at least half of your grains whole grains. Whole grains offer more fiber and nutrients than refined grains.
Protein Foods: This includes meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, and beans. MyPlate emphasizes varying your protein choices and selecting lean or low-fat options.
Dairy: This group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy milk. The recommendations suggest choosing low-fat or fat-free options to reduce saturated fat intake.

Why Fats, Oils, and Sweets are Not a Food Group

While fats and oils are necessary for a healthy diet, they are treated differently in the MyPlate model because they are a source of calories rather than a distinct nutrient category like the other five groups. The emphasis is on getting healthy, unsaturated fats from sources like nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils, while limiting saturated and trans fats. Sweets and added sugars fall into the category of "empty calories"—providing energy without significant nutritional value. The MyPlate approach encourages thoughtful consumption of these items within a balanced diet rather than allocating a specific portion of the plate to them.

Conclusion

The question "Which of the following is not a MyPlate food group?" highlights the crucial difference between the nutrient-focused MyPlate guidelines and older, less nuanced dietary models. The MyPlate model, representing a modern approach to nutrition, omits categories like Fats, Oils, and Sweets from its primary food groups. By focusing on Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Proteins, and Dairy, it effectively encourages a balanced and nutrient-dense diet. Understanding these guidelines empowers individuals to make healthier food choices and build a balanced plate for optimal health.

For more detailed information on specific food recommendations and personalized plans, visit the official MyPlate website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The five official MyPlate food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

No, MyPlate does not include a separate food group for fats and oils. Instead, it provides guidance on consuming healthy, unsaturated fats in moderation.

MyPlate uses a plate icon to visually represent balanced meal proportions, whereas the Food Pyramid used a triangular hierarchy. MyPlate also removed fats and sweets as a primary food group.

Sweets are not a MyPlate food group because they are considered a source of 'empty calories' that provide little to no nutritional value. MyPlate guidelines encourage limiting foods high in added sugars.

Discretionary calories are the calories from solid fats and added sugars that are not part of any of the core food groups and should be consumed sparingly.

Yes, the Protein Foods group is inclusive of both animal-based proteins like meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs, as well as plant-based proteins such as nuts, seeds, and beans.

MyPlate recommends choosing nutrient-dense beverages like water, fat-free or low-fat milk, and 100% fruit juice, while limiting sugary drinks like soda and fruit punch.