"If you can't easily trace a food back to its source in nature, don't eat it."
--Gregg Avedon
While tracking the evolution of the food pyramid, I became delighted, confused and shocked all at once. What was once holy 15 years ago has now turned completely on its head. A few pictures will help...
What's going on here!? The red meat is now split at the top with white bread, rice and pasta to be used sparingly when before the steak image was lumped in with nuts and fish at 2-3 servings/day and the bread, rice and pasta were at 6-11 servings/day!! Quite the shift don't you think?
Look towards the bottom for daily exercise and plant-based oils as a major component and also the addition of alcohol in moderation. This is in line with what we've all been hearing over the years, but what strikes me is how long it took to get the message out there. I remember my sister and cousins being taught the old pyramid only 4 years ago in middle school and high school. Even if parents have been keeping up with the latest news and research, how are they supposed to explain to their kids that what they're being taught in school is wrong?
If you visit USDA's food pyramid site now, you'll find the most latest version called, MyPyramid. It basically allows you to customize the pyramid based on your age, sex, weight, height and level of physical activity. After inputting all the relevant values, the site provides detailed recommendations and even lets you pick a plan that will lead to a healthier weight (based on your original values). Definitely worth a look. About time they decided to shy away from a one-size-fits-all model.
If you're interested in the progression of changes in the pyramid and want to learn more about why it was so flawed to begin with, check out this page.
EDIT: Here's even more from the Harvard School of Public Health on USDA's flawed methodology in constructing the original food pyramid and how to determine what really is good for you to eat.
--Gregg Avedon
While tracking the evolution of the food pyramid, I became delighted, confused and shocked all at once. What was once holy 15 years ago has now turned completely on its head. A few pictures will help...
What's going on here!? The red meat is now split at the top with white bread, rice and pasta to be used sparingly when before the steak image was lumped in with nuts and fish at 2-3 servings/day and the bread, rice and pasta were at 6-11 servings/day!! Quite the shift don't you think?
Look towards the bottom for daily exercise and plant-based oils as a major component and also the addition of alcohol in moderation. This is in line with what we've all been hearing over the years, but what strikes me is how long it took to get the message out there. I remember my sister and cousins being taught the old pyramid only 4 years ago in middle school and high school. Even if parents have been keeping up with the latest news and research, how are they supposed to explain to their kids that what they're being taught in school is wrong?
If you visit USDA's food pyramid site now, you'll find the most latest version called, MyPyramid. It basically allows you to customize the pyramid based on your age, sex, weight, height and level of physical activity. After inputting all the relevant values, the site provides detailed recommendations and even lets you pick a plan that will lead to a healthier weight (based on your original values). Definitely worth a look. About time they decided to shy away from a one-size-fits-all model.
If you're interested in the progression of changes in the pyramid and want to learn more about why it was so flawed to begin with, check out this page.
EDIT: Here's even more from the Harvard School of Public Health on USDA's flawed methodology in constructing the original food pyramid and how to determine what really is good for you to eat.