What are the four main food categories?

There's no single, universally accepted way to categorize food into just four main categories. The way we group foods often depends on the purpose. However, here are a few common and useful ways to categorize foods:

1. By Food Group (common for dietary guidance):

* Fruits: Apples, bananas, strawberries, oranges, etc.

* Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, etc.

* Grains: Bread, pasta, rice, cereal, etc.

* Protein: Meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, eggs, nuts, seeds, etc.

2. By Macronutrient Content:

* Carbohydrates: Starches, sugars, fibers

* Proteins: Meat, dairy, beans, nuts

* Fats: Oils, butter, fatty meats, nuts

3. By Function:

* Energy-Providing: Carbs, fats, proteins

* Building and Repairing: Proteins

* Regulating and Protecting: Vitamins, minerals, water

4. By Source:

* Plant-Based: Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes

* Animal-Based: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy

Important Note: These are just examples, and there can be overlap between categories. For example, some foods like beans are both a protein and a legume.

It's helpful to consider the specific purpose for categorizing food before choosing a system.