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Nutrition & Dietetics vocabulary · Diets and Meal Planning

Food group

Meaning in nutrition & dietetics, with examples

nounCore term

In nutrition & dietetics, food group means: A category of foods with similar nutrients, such as vegetables, fruit, grains, protein foods and dairy, used in guidelines to describe a balanced diet.

In Turkish: besin grubu

How it is used

Common in public health education and meal planning. Dietitians check whether a meal plan 'includes all the food groups' or whether a client 'cuts out a whole food group'. The number and names of the groups differ between national guidelines.

Example sentences

  1. Strict diets that cut out a whole food group can make it hard to meet nutrient needs.

  2. The poster shows each food group in a different color on a plate.

Common collocations

  • main food groups
  • include all food groups
  • cut out a food group
  • food group servings
  • balanced dietA way of eating that includes a variety of foods from all the main food groups in suitable amounts, so that the body gets the energy and nutrients it needs.
  • dietary guidelinesOfficial, evidence-based recommendations from a government or health authority on what the population should eat to stay healthy and reduce the risk of disease.
  • meal planA written plan that shows what, when and how much a person will eat over a day or a week, usually prepared to meet specific health or energy needs.
  • serving sizeA standard amount of a food, such as one cup or 30 grams, used on a nutrition label or in guidelines so that nutrient values can be shown and compared.

More terms: Diets and Meal Planning

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.