Final answer:
The 2015 Dietary Guidelines recommend a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods and limits certain fats, added sugars, and sodium. The MyPlate guideline suggests half the plate be fruits and vegetables, with the other half divided between grains and proteins, accompanied by a dairy product. An example meal could include pasta, cooked vegetables, lean meat, salad, and a glass of milk.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering which foods to recommend or match with beverages, it's important to follow evidence-based dietary recommendations such as those provided in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This guidance suggests an eating pattern that balances calorie intake with physical activity and emphasizes a variety of vegetables, whole fruits, grains (at least half of which should be whole grains), fat-free or low-fat dairy, a variety of protein foods, and oils. It also advises to limit the intake of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.
For a meal matched with a beverage, using the MyPlate approach suggests that about half your plate should consist of vegetables and fruits, the other half grains and proteins, accompanied by a dairy product. For example, a meal could include servings of pasta or rice, fresh cooked vegetables, meat, poultry, or fish, with a side salad dressed with a modest amount of oil or salad dressing, and a glass of milk or a fortified soy beverage. Adjusting the typical meals to match this pattern helps achieve a balanced diet.