Food and Nutrition Service

Use these tips to help you make smart choices about choosing, using, and eating fats for good health.

Oils are not a food group, but they provide essential nutrients. Find information on cooking with oils and limiting saturated fats.

Protein foods include both animal and plant sources. Find tips for including a variety of protein foods in your diet. 

Whole grains are important sources of many nutrients, including dietary fiber. Discover new ways to enjoy whole grains with these tips.

Grains are a source of carbohydrates in the diet. Read more about the grains group, and learn why it is important to make half of your grains whole.

Learn how to select and prepare foods with less salt and sodium.

Make safe, nutritious food and beverage choices during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to keep you and your baby healthy.

Making a plan before heading to the store can help you get organized, save money, and choose healthy options.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Office of Food Safety develops education, instruction and technical assistance resources for individuals working in federally funded nutrition assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Learn about the unique nutrition needs for individuals ages 65 and up.

MyPlate Kitchen is an online tool featuring a collection of healthy and budget friendly recipes and resources. Browse the following cuisines:

• Asian Recipes
• Latin American/Hispanic Recipes
• Mediterranean Recipes
• Middle Eastern Recipes
• Native American Recipes
• Southern Recipes

Browse Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipes that are healthy, thrifty, and easy to make! Or, follow along to a recipe in their Recipe Video Collections.

Discover how to create a healthy eating routine from MyPlate, the USDA food group guide.

Build healthy eating habits in your teenage years using these tips.

Choose plant foods that are rich in important nutrients to meet your nutrition needs.

Learn about the five food groups with printable crossword puzzles, mazes, word searches, word scrambles and coloring sheets. Activities include:

• Fruit and Vegetable Flash Cards
• MyPlate Word Blanks: "Cook-off Craze"
• Kids Food Critic Activity
• MyPlate Grocery Store Bingo

Learn which foods make up the Protein Foods Group and how much protein is needed for a healthy diet. 

Find recipes featuring foods that both children and adults should eat more of, including dark green and orange vegetables, dry beans and peas, and whole grains.

Find quick and easy recipes kids and other family members will enjoy. Videos, rollover widgets, and fact sheets provide ideas on ways to get your kids to try new foods, eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk and yogurt.

Recipes, videos, tips and factsheets just for you! Pick up ideas on ways to get your kids to try new foods, eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk and yogurt.

Find out what fruits and vegetables are in season.

Find MyPlate tip sheets for smart shopping and meal planning. Topics include:

• Eat Healthy on a Budget
• Meal Planning
• Grocery Shopping

Call your State’s number to learn more about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Most are toll-free numbers.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs including WIC, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and school meals.