Do you remember being told about the food groups? They were in a pyramid, i believe they were meat, fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy – right?

Well, according to our kind friends at Kind Green Planet there is a movement that is talking about the “New Vegan Food Groups” . . .

VEGETABLES
4 or more servings a day
Vegetables are packed with nutrients; they provide vitamin C, beta-carotene, riboflavin, iron, calcium, fiber, and other nutrients. Dark green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, collards, kale, mustard and turnip greens, chicory, or bok choy are especially good sources of these nutrients. Dark yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin provide extra beta-carotene. Include generous portions of a variety of vegetables in your diet.
Serving size: 1 cup raw vegetables, 1/2 cup cooked vegetables.

WHOLE GRAINS
5 or more servings a day
This group includes bread, rice, tortillas, pasta, hot or cold cereal, corn, millet, barley, bulgar, and buckwheat. Build each of your meals around a hearty grain dish — grains are rich in fiber and other complex carbohydrates, as well as protein, B vitamins, and zinc.
Serving size: 1/2 cup rice or other grain • 1 ounce dry cereal • 1 slice bread

FRUIT
3 or more servings a day
Fruits are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Be sure to include at least one serving each day of fruits that are high in vitamin C—citrus fruits, melons, and strawberries are all good choices. Choose whole fruit over fruit juices, which do not contain very much fiber.
Serving size: 1 medium piece of fruit, 1/2 cup cooked fruit, 4 ounces juice.

LEGUMES
2 or more servings a day
Legumes — which is another name for beans, peas, and lentils — are all good sources of fiber, protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and B vitamins. This group also includes chickpeas, baked and refried beans, soy milk, tempeh, and texturized vegetable protein.
Serving size: 1/2 cup cooked beans, 4 ounces tofu or tempeh, 8 ounces soy milk.

While eating vegetarian or vegan is not part of your diet at this time, maybe start by incorporating more of these food groups into your current diet and see what type of results you produce.

Which of these food groups could you begin incorporating into your diet? How?