Nutrition
Most Teens
Are healthy
Are not too concerned about their
future health
Can improve their food choices
Teens
Programmed for growth
Concern about weight is increasing
Physical activity levels drop around age
13
Nutrition Essentials
MyPyramid amounts of foods for
YOU
Choose the foods you need
Choose foods for their nutrients
Estimate amounts of foods
Put it all together - Food for a Day
Move it to keep your health in
balance
MyPyramid: Steps to a Healthier You
Old Food Pyramid Guide
How are they different and
alike?
Differences
The layers are flipped on their side to make stripes.
Food images are not in the stripes.
A section on oils has been added.
Food group amounts described in common measures:
cups or ounces.
Combined amounts of foods provide about 2,000
calories a day.
Shows how to locate more individualized information.
Includes physical activity.
Similarities
Both are a pyramid.
The foods are divided into food groups.
The five food groups are the same.
MyPyramid Food Groups
for 2,000 calories/day
Fruits Group 2 cups
Vegetables Group 2½ cups
Milk Group 3 cups
Meat & Beans Group 5½ ounces
Grains Group 6 ounces
Choose oils in place of solid fats
You need different types of
nutrient-dense foods.
Fruits – Focus on fruits
Chose whole or pieces of fruit that are
fresh, frozen, canned or dried.
Go easy on juices
Vegetables – Vary your veggies
Many people need more dark-green or
orange veggies, dried beans and peas.
Milk and foods made from low-fat or
fat-free milk – Get calcium rich foods
Get enough low-fat or fat-free milk, or food
from milk for calcium
Teens have a critical need for calcium for
their growing bones
Meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and
beans – Go lean with protein
Eat enough for iron and protein
Teens need iron and protein from foods to
grow new blood cells
Breads, cereals, rice and pasta – Make
half your grains whole
Eat at least half of your grain foods as
whole grains
Grains foods are a valuable source of
energy
Plus, oils (liquid, unsaturated forms of
fat) and foods containing oils provide
vitamin E
How Much Do YOU Need?
The right amounts depends on:
Age
Gender
Physical activity level
How Active Are You?
Inactive Lifestyle
normal day-to-day physical activities
Somewhat Active Lifestyle
walking 1½ to 3 miles at 3 to 4 miles/hour,
plus day-to-day activities
Active Lifestyle
walking more than 3 miles at 3 to 4
miles/hour, plus to day-to-day activities.
Choose What You Need
Go to MyPyramid.gov
Or, use the Nutrition Essentials
“MyPyramid Amounts of Foods
for YOU” charts