A food piramide alimentare  is a graphical representation, in the form of a triangle, of nutritional standards that people need to maintain good health. Its purpose is to help people build a balanced diet by choosing foods from different groups in the right proportions.

The first food pyramid was developed in 1992 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It recommended six to 11 servings a day of bread, cereal, rice and pasta, which provide complex carbohydrates for energy; generous portions of vegetables and fruit, including potatoes (another good source of complex carbs); two daily servings of dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, and two to three servings of meat and beans, poultry, fish, nuts, and eggs. The top shelf of the food pyramid was reserved for fats, spreads and oils – with the advice that these should be consumed in very small amounts

Understanding the Food Pyramid: A Guide to Balanced Nutrition

In 2005 the USDA released a revised version of the food pyramid, which was renamed MyPyramid. This new pyramid is similar to the previous one, but it makes clearer distinctions between types of fats and has more room for a variety of healthy fruits, vegetables, grains and protein sources.

The new food pyramid organises foods into five main shelves, with the most important at the base of the pyramid. Each shelf provides a wide range of the nutrients, energy and fuel that you need for your body to function well. Remember that a balanced diet is not about trying to get all the foods from each shelf every time you eat, but rather eating the right balance overall over a day or week.