When the USDA established guidelines
for our daily food requirements and set up the “food pyramid”
the entire nation embraced the information and took it for absolute
divine truth. I’m afraid, however, upon further examination,
maybe we should have thought about this a little more.
The food pyramid did do more than
anything prior to educate people about the need for consumption
of some items from each of the food groups. We need something from
all of them in order to eat healthy and maintain our health. That
fact no one is disputing. What we, as a population are beginning
to question, however, are the daily caloric levels and recommended
daily intake levels.
Thanks to a growing awareness of
individual needs, and the pressure from all areas of medicine, traditional
and alternative, the USDA has now researched and republished their
food pyramid.
The original food pyramid had four
food groups; the newly established pyramid has five. The new pyramid
addresses many different issues, from age, weight, and gender requirements
to overall health issues. Limiting the amount of intake and advice
about the health concerns when we overeat is also included in the
new food pyramid. It is now color coded, so that it is easier for
children and adults to find where they fit.
The new food pyramid is much improved
in the area of individual concerns, and cautions to readers about
individual considerations. For clarities sake, let’s take
a look at each food group and offer a bit of explanation.
The bread, cereals, rice and pasta
food group has always been at the bottom and is meant to represent
the food staples, the foundation of our diet. The next two groups,
vegetables and fruits, are pretty much the same as they have always
been. The next level of meats, poultry, fish dry beans, and eggs,
as well as the milk, yogurt and cheese groups are where the reader
will find some definite changes to the suggested consumption.
The addition of information as far
as suggested caloric intake, depending upon your lifestyle, and
calorie content for fast food items was a demanded and welcome addition
to the pyramid food guide. Other items of interest are suggested
recipes, food substitutions, and tips on food selection. I think
the USDA did a much better job with the new guide, than with the
old one in creating an atmosphere of “you create your own
plan from this information”.
What we have seen as far as changes
to the food pyramid and the addition of usual information is a direct
result of some of the health conditions facing our population today.
The inclusion of varying recommended levels depending upon your
gender, lifestyle and age group is a result of further medical research
and information reported by fitness and health facilities across
the country. All this goes to reinforce the proof that your good
health is an individual concern, and must be given individual attention.
The pyramid food guide is just that, a guide. It is not your personal
plan of required eating levels. It’s up to you to tailor the
plan to meet your specific needs.
The Food Pyramid: Good or Bad?:
Sponsors;