Good eating habits and food choices based on moderation and variety can help keep you healthy and even improve your health. Get the many nutrients your body needs by choosing among the varied foods you enjoy from the five major food groups. Remember to choose lean and lowfat foods and beverages most often. Many foods you eat contain servings from more than one food group. For example, soups and stews may contain meat, beans, noodles, and vegetables.
Foods contain combinations of nutrients and other healthful substances.
No single food can supply all nutrients in the amounts you need. Supplements of vitamins, minerals, or fiber may help to meet special nutritional needs. However, supplements do not supply all of the nutrients and other substances present in foods that are important to health. Large amounts of some nutrients are harmful. Daily vitamin and mineral supplements at or below the RDAs are considered safe, but usually are not needed by people who eat the variety of foods illustrated in the Food Guide Pyramid.