The five food groups

Encouraging kids to eat a variety of nutritious foods supports their growth, development, and overall health. 

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) simplifies this by outlining five key food groups to help families create balanced meals.

The five food groups are:

  1. Vegetables and legumes/beans – colourful veggies like carrots, spinach, and peas are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibre
     
  2. Fruit – Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, and berries are full of essential vitamins and fibre
     
  3. Grains (mostly wholegrains and/or high-fibre varieties) – wholegrain bread, oats, rice, and pasta for energy and fibre
     
  4. Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds, and legumes/beans – protein-rich foods support healthy development and strong muscles
     
  5. Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives (mostly reduced-fat) – Dairy or fortified plant-based options offer calcium for strong bones and teeth

Recommended serves

The number of recommended serves changes as babies grow into toddlers, then children, into young people and then adults.

Visit eatforhealth.gov.au for recommended number of serves for children, adolescents and toddlers.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
The Australian guide to healthy eating is a food selection guide which visually represents the proportion of the five food groups recommended for consumption each day.

Incorporating a variety of foods from the five food groups helps ensure your child gets the nutrients needed to grow strong and healthy. Aim for balance across meals and snacks, spreading foods throughout the day rather than trying to include all food groups in every single meal.

Limit foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats in ultra-processed snacks. These should be occasional treats, not daily choices.

See Healthy meal planning to learn more about how to cook and shop for healthy food options.

Did you know?

Statistics on Australian children's eating habits reveal that:

  • 35% of their daily energy comes from discretionary foods like ultra-processed snacks and lollies
  • 32% of children aren't getting enough fruit each day
  • 95% of children aren't eating enough vegetables each day

A well-balanced diet, including a variety of foods from all five food groups each day, is key to supporting their growth and long-term health.