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Discretionary Calories Food Pyramid

The USDA food pyramid allows between 100 and 300 calories per day as discretionary, basically an allowance for junk food

Human body needs a number of calories to keep it functioning, called Budget Calories. According to FDA, they are divided in to two categories,  "Essentials” and “Discretionary”.

Budget = Essentials + Discretionary

The “essentials” are the minimum calories required to meet all your nutrient needs.  After you have selected the foods that meet your nutritional needs, you are left with “discretionary calories” that can be used on added sugars, and alcohol, or on more food from any food group.