Nutrition & Oral Health

Nutrition and Oral Health

What you put into your body matters. Eating a healthy diet is good for your teeth and body. Also, limiting drinks filled with sugar, like sports drinks and soda, can lower your risk of getting cavities.

Tips for a healthy diet:

Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contain fiber and are good for your body
Drink water instead of soda or fruit juice
Add fruits and herbs to water to give it some flavor

The 5 Food Groups

It’s important to eat foods from all 5 food groups. The 5 food groups include fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole-grains and protein. Water is not part of the 5 food groups but is very important. Click on each icon below to learn more about each group.

Fruits
Fruits
Vegetables
Vegetables
Protein
Protein

What kinds of food make up the fruit group?

Fruits can be fresh, canned, frozen or dried. Examples of delicious fruits are apples, grapes, bananas, peaches, strawberries, watermelon and more! To learn more about the fruit group, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

What kind of foods make up the vegetable group?

Vegetables or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the vegetable group. Vegetables can be raw, cooked, fresh, frozen, canned or whole. To learn more about the vegetable group, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

What kinds of food make up the protein group?

All foods made from meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds are considered part of the Protein Foods Group. To learn more about the protein group, please visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Dairy
Dairy
Grains
Grains
Water
Water

What kinds of food make up the dairy group?

All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk that retain their calcium content, such as yogurt and cheese, are part of the Dairy Group. Calcium-fortified soymilk (soy beverage) is also included. Foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not part of the Dairy Group. To learn more about the dairy group, please visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

What kind of food makes up grains group?

Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, grits, and tortillas are examples of grain products. Foods such as popcorn, rice, and oatmeal are also included in the Grains Group. To learn more about the grains group, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Water is good for you!

Drinking water is great for your body and teeth. It won’t cause cavities and it keeps you hydrated. If you do not like water, try adding fruit and herbs to the water for some flavor. Aim to drink more water and less sugary drinks every day for a healthy smile.

What happens if you eat too much sugar?

Eating too many foods that have a lot of sugar can cause obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Try to stay away from those foods. Can you think of any healthy snacks that are good for you and your baby? While you should stay away from foods like candy and cupcakes, it is okay to have one every once in a while.