"Four food groups: fast, frozen, instant and…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture promoted, from 1956 to 1992, the “basic four” food groups. There have been many parodies on the four basic food groups. “Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable” has been cited in print since at least 1992. “The four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant, and Chocolate” has been cited in print since at least 1995. The words “takeout” and “canned” are often included in the “basic four.”

Another humorous “basic four” is “Four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles.”

Wikipedia: History of USDA nutrition guides
Basic Four
From 1956 until 1992 the United States Department of Agriculture recommended its “Basic Four” food groups. These food groups were:

. Vegetables and fruits: Recommended as excellent sources of vitamins C and A, and a good source of fiber. A dark-green or deep-yellow vegetable or fruit was recommended every other day.
. Milk: Recommended as a good source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, riboflavin, and sometimes vitamins A and D. Cheese, ice cream, and ice milk could sometimes replace milk.
. Meat: Recommended for protein, iron and certain B vitamins. Includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, dry peas, and peanut butter.
. Cereals and breads: Whole grain and enriched breads were especially recommended as good sources of iron, B vitamins and carbohydrates, as well as sources of protein and fiber. Includes cereals, breads, cornmeal, macaroni, noodles, rice and spaghetti.

Google Groups: soc.culture.nordic
Carl Camurca
8/8/92
(...)
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable

Google Groups: alt.politics.correct
tom betz
11/27/92
(...)
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable

Google Groups: comp.sys.palmtops
Joe George
1/31/93
(...)
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable

The Archive
34544 unique taglines - The Archive
Jan 23, 1994
(...)
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant & Microwavable
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable!

Google Groups: rec.humor.d
Canonical List Of Food And Waiter Humor 1/1
April Fool
4/5/95
(...)
The four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant, and Chocolate.

27 February 2003, Indianapolis (IN) Star, “Let it out‎,” Indiana Living, pg. E2:
The four food groups: fast, frozen, instant and microwavable!

Vacilando
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable!—(unknown)
Submitted by Vacilando on January 7, 2004 - 02:36
Quotation
Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant and Microwavable!

ClarkHoward.com
Posted: 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Using DNA to find the perfect mate?
Clark is often taken to task for his horrible eating habits. As a young man, his family called him “the carryout kid” because his four food groups were fried, frozen, microwavable and takeout.

Epinions
The Four Food Groups Known to Teenagers: Fast - Frozen - Instant - Chocolate.
Written: Aug 24 ‘08 (Updated Aug 24 ‘08)

The Frictionary
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2008
The Frictionary #193
(...)
1843. Four food groups: Fast, Frozen, Instant, and Microwavable. (?)

Pink Elephants
February 12, 2011
Life Without a Microwave?
”My family eats from all of the food groups: Fast, Frozen, Canned and Microwaveable”-anoymous qoute

“Four food groups: fast, frozen, instant and microwavable”