Foods can be grouped based on key nutrients. The six foods groups typically used in healthy eating patterns are grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and oils. The nutrition principle of variety refers to consuming foods from each of the food groups and selecting different foods within the groups on a regular basis. For example, a person using the variety principle would regularly choose vegetables with a variety of colors rather than only selecting potatoes and corn. The different colored vegetables typically contain different essential nutrients and different phytochemicals.  Each of the food groups has a contribution to make to achieve an overall healthy eating plan.  Foods can be grouped based on key nutrients. The six foods groups typically used in healthy eating patterns are grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and oils. The nutrition principle of variety refers to consuming foods from each of the food groups and selecting different foods within the groups on a regular basis.

The United States Department of Agriculture's “MyPlate” eating pattern emphasizes choosing foods from each of the food groups on a regular basis. For example, a person using the variety principle would regularly choose vegetables with a variety of colors rather than only selecting potatoes and corn. The different colored vegetables typically contain different essential nutrients and different phytochemicals.  Each of the food groups has a contribution to make to achieve an overall healthy eating plan.