- The NAOS Pyramid
- Nutrition and healthy eating habits
- Diet and physical activity throughout life
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Food
For a balanced diet containing macronutrients and micronutrients in suitable
quantities it is essential to be familiar with the different foods – as they
contain these nutrients. Luckily or unluckily, we cannot find proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and
minerals on supermarket shelves; we are instead offered foods containing these
elements. Therefore, it is essential to know them and to classify them by their
main component, as hardly any foods are made up of only one nutrient in its
pure form. This classification should group together foods that share the same
functions and provide similar quantities of nutrients. The most-widely accepted
classification for the general population is that which was introduced in Spain
under the Programme of Education in Diet and Nutrition (EDALNU) in the 1960s
and which has been converted into six groups:
Food group:
Group 1: Dairy products and their derivatives
An essential group of foods and an important source of protein, which includes milk and other derivatives.
Group 2: Protein foods
Group of foods including meats, eggs and fish, cured cheeses and nuts and seeds.
Group 3: Carbohydrate foods, pulses, cereals and tubers
This group has several subgroups, including pulses, cereals and potatoes.
Group 4: Vegetables
One of the most important food sources, these should be eaten to some extent every day.
Group 5: Fruit
Due to their variety and nutritional power, these are of the utmost importance for a healthy diet. They should be eaten every day.
Group 6: Fats, oil and butter
These are necessary, especially those containing unsaturated fatty acids.