Final answer:
The largest portion of a meal should consist of vegetables and fruits. Following the MyPlate guidelines, these should take up half of the plate, with grains and proteins making up the other half and dairy as an accompaniment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The largest portion of a meal should consist of vegetables and fruits, followed by grains and protein. According to the USDA's MyPlate guidelines, to create a balanced meal, half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables, one-quarter should include whole grains, and the remaining quarter should be proteins. Dairy, which can be represented as a drink, should also accompany the meal for a complete nutritional balance.
When considering the caloric distribution from different macronutrients, it is recommended to obtain 10-15% from protein, 20-30% from fat, and about 50-70% from carbohydrates, of which the majority should be complex carbohydrates as they provide additional nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.