food group: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, semi-formal, educational
Quick answer
What does “food group” mean?
A category of foods that share similar nutritional properties and biological functions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A category of foods that share similar nutritional properties and biological functions.
The concept used in dietary guidelines to organize foods into categories for planning balanced meals and promoting nutritional health.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and usage are identical. The USDA's 'MyPlate' (US) and the UK's 'Eatwell Guide' use similar groupings, though specific visual models differ.
Connotations
Strongly associated with government health guidelines, school education, and nutritional science in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in nutritional contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “food group” in a Sentence
The [dairy] food group provides calcium.Foods are classified into [five] food groups.A balanced diet includes something from each major food group.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “food group” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Starchy carbohydrates form one of the main food groups in the Eatwell Guide.
- Nutritionists advise consuming a variety of foods from all the food groups.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food industry, product marketing (e.g., 'our product fits into the grain food group'), and corporate wellness programs.
Academic
Central to nutritional science, public health research, and dietary epidemiology.
Everyday
Used in meal planning, parenting ('make sure his lunch has something from three food groups'), and general health advice.
Technical
Precise categorisation based on macronutrient and micronutrient profiles for dietary analysis and policy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “food group”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “food group”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “food group”
- Using 'food group' as countable for a single food item (e.g., 'An apple is a food group.' INCORRECT). Treating 'food group' as synonymous with 'ingredient'. Confusing 'food group' with 'food pyramid' or 'MyPlate', which are models that *use* food groups.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
This varies by country. Common models use five: 1) Fruits, 2) Vegetables, 3) Grains, 4) Protein Foods, 5) Dairy/Dairy Alternatives. Some models combine fruits and vegetables or separate them.
Typically, no. They are often placed outside the core groups as a category to be consumed in small amounts, as they provide essential fatty acids but are energy-dense.
To simplify dietary advice, help people visualise a balanced plate, ensure intake of all necessary nutrients, and create a framework for public health nutrition education.
Yes, absolutely. The categories are based on nutrients, not specific foods. For example, the 'protein' group includes beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts for vegetarians/vegans, and the 'dairy' group is replaced by fortified alternatives.
A category of foods that share similar nutritional properties and biological functions.
Food group is usually formal, semi-formal, educational in register.
Food group: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfuːd ɡruːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfud ˌɡrup/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cover all the food groups”
- “eat from every food group”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dinner plate divided into sections like a pie chart. Each slice is a FOOD GROUP: one for veggies, one for grains, etc. The 'group' holds similar foods together.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD GROUPS ARE BUILDING BLOCKS / FOOD GROUPS ARE COLOURS ON A PALETTE (for creating a balanced diet).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a core food group in modern Western dietary guidelines?