What is a healthy dietary pattern?

A dietary pattern is the total of what you eat and drink. A healthy dietary pattern includes nutrient-dense foods and beverages from all of the food groups:

• Vegetables of all types — dark green; red and orange; beans, peas and lentils; starchy and others
• Fruits, especially whole fruit
• Grains, at least half of which are whole grain
• Dairy, including fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese, and lactose-free or fortified soy beverages and yogurts
• Protein, including lean meats, poultry and eggs; seafood; beans, peas and lentils; nuts, seeds and soy products
• Oils, including vegetable oils and oils in food such as seafood and nuts