Why are breads, cereals, rice, and pasta important?
These foods provide complex carbohydrates (starches), which are an important source of energy, especially in low fat diets. They also provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The USDA suggests Americans eat 6 to 11 servings of these foods a day.

What counts as a serving?

• 1 slice of bread
• 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal
• 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta

Aren't starchy foods fattening?
No. It's what you add to these foods or cook with them that adds most of the calories. For example: margarine or butter on bread, cream or cheese sauces on pasta, and the sugar and fat used with the flour in making cookies.

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Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Home & Garden Bulletin #52