Grains
The grain food group is comprised of two subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains and their products, including brown rice, quinoa, oats, muesli and whole-wheat pasta, tend to be significantly higher in fiber and protein than refined grain products, such as crackers, corn flakes, grits and traditional pasta. Most refined grains have been enriched, however, and are high in B vitamins and iron. The USDA recommends that at least half of the grains you consume should come from whole-grain sources. Women aged 50 or younger should consume 6 ounce equivalents of grains each day, while those over 50 should reduce their daily intake to 5 ounce equivalents. Similarly, men through the age of 30 need 8 ounce equivalents of grains per day, but men over 30 and under 50 require 7 ounce equivalents, and men over 50 only just 6 ounce equivalents of grains each day.