Health Promotion and Wellness

2 cups of fruits per day*

Key nutrient contributions: Many nutrients, especially dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.

Make at least half your fruits, whole fruits (not fruit juices). Juices consumed should be 100% juice without added sugars.

2.5 – 3 cups of vegetables per day*

Key nutrient contributions: Many nutrients, including dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C, K, E and B6, copper, magnesium, folate, iron, manganese, thiamin, niacin, and choline.

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables, and vary your veggies. 

6 ounces of grains per day*

Key nutrient contributions: Whole grains are important sources of dietary fiber, folate, copper, manganese, vitamins B6 and A, selenium, phosphorus, and riboflavin.

Make at least half your grains, whole grains.

5.5 ounces of protein per day*

Key nutrient contributions: Meats, poultry, and seafood = most heme iron; Seafood = most vitamins D and B12; Nuts and seeds = most vitamin E; Soy products = most copper, manganese, and iron; Eggs = most choline; Meats = most zinc; White poultry = most niacin.

2 cups of dairy per day*

Key nutrient contributions: The dairy group contributes nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin, protein, potassium, zinc, choline, magnesium, and selenium.

Fat-free and low-fat dairy products provide the same nutrients but less fat (and fewer calories).

5 teaspoons of oil per day (or 27 grams)*

Key nutrient contributions: Essential fatty acids and vitamin E.

Oils contain a high percentage of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (healthy) fats and are liquid at room temperature. The amount consumed should replace solid fats rather than being added to the diet.

*These USDA Food Patterns are designed to meet food group and nutrient recommendations within calorie needs for a 2,000-calorie per day diet. A person might not consume all daily calories with the recommended servings listed above and/or may need more or less of these food groups depending on lifestyle.

Information about:

• The Cabinet-Food Pantry 
• Oshkosh Campus Food Service