With the variety of food pyramids available, you may wonder which one to follow. It may help to know that the basic principles of food pyramids are largely the same and generally emphasize the following:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Reduce intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
• Limit sweets and salt.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Control portion sizes and the total number of calories you    consume.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine.

Food pyramids place foods in categories — such as dairy products or meat and beans — to help guide your food choices. No single food provides all of the nutrients that your body needs, so eating a variety of foods within each group ensures that you get the necessary nutrients and other substances that promote good health.