Chocolate lovers often say that there are “four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles.” The saying has been cited in print since at least 1998 and is of unknown authorship.

Another humorous “basic four” is “Four food groups: fast, frozen, instant and microwavable.”


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 Books
The complete idiot’s travel guide to Las Vegas
By Rick Garman
New York, NY: Macmillan Travel Alpha Books
1998
Pg. 164:
Calling all chocoholics. This four-story retail and exhibit space, brought to you by the company that makes M&Ms, Milky Way, Snickers, and more is devoted to the four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.

Google Groups: alt.fan.barry-manilow
Newsgroups: alt.fan.barry-manilow
From: (Tigger7682)
Date: 1999/04/28
Subject: Re: Favorite Collectibles

The four basic food groups-Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate and Chocolate Truffles.

Google Groups: soc.culture.venezuela
Newsgroups: soc.culture.venezuela
From: Beelzebu Das-Hell
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 11:12:51 -0500
Local: Thurs, Dec 12 2002 11:12 am
Subject: Citas Chocolateras

There are four basic food groups, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.
--Unknown

Google Books
The Little Black Book of Chocolate
By Barbara Bloch Benjamin
White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper Press
2003
Pg. 137:
There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Google Books
Permission to Party:
Taking Time to Celebrate and Enjoy Life
By Jill Murphy Long
Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks
2004
Pg. 172:
There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles. — Unknown

Google Books
Chocolate: a healthy passion
By Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden
Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books
2008
Pg. 133:
“There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.”
Anonymous

Google Books
Woman of the House:
The Rise of Nancy Pelosi
By Vincent Bzdek
New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan
2009
Pg. 137:
Friends say the entire Pelosi diet consists of four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and truffles. “She eats a lot of chocolate,” Judy Lemons said.