The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends consumers eat a balanced diet based on five food groups: grains, vegetables, fruit, dairy and proteins.

In June, the agency unveiled the MyPlate icon, replacing the long-used food pyramid to serve as a reminder to people how much they should eat.

Portion sizes depend on age and gender. For the list that follows, the portion recommendations are targeted to people ages 31 to 50.

The categories are not listed in order of importance.

Grains: Women should eat six 1-ounce equivalents a day (an ounce equivalent of grains is the same as a slice of bread). Men should have a little bit more — seven 1-ounce equivalents. At least half the grains should be whole grains.

Vegetables: Adult women should have 2½ cups daily and men should eat three cups a day. At least half a plate should be covered with vegetables and fruit.

Fruit: Women should eat 1½ cups of fruit and men should consume two cups. A cup can include juice.

Dairy: Women and men should have three cups of dairy products a day. The USDA recommends fat-free milk.

Proteins: Women should consume five 1-ounce equivalents of protein and men should have six. A portion could be 1 ounce of meat, poultry or fish, one-quarter cup of cooked beans, one egg, one tablespoon of peanut butter or one-half ounce of nuts or seeds.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture