The Food Pyramid Guide
by
Diets Reviewed
In 1992, the USDA released a
revised food pyramid guide. The new food pyramid guide suggested how each
food category must be consumed daily. It recommended about 6-11 portions of
grains, 3-5 portions of vegetables, 2-3 portions of fruits, 2-3 portions of
dairy products, and minimal use of oils and sweeteners. This was supposed to be
the required quantity of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats, and fiber
required by our body.
This food
pyramid guide was highly critiqued for being lopsided towards higher
consumption of dairy products and other carbohydrates. Obesity is a growing
problem that plagues several million people and a higher carbohydrate and fat
level only added to it. Also, this guide became a nutritional icon but did not
affect any specific dietary regulation amongst people.
With this
view the USDA announced a revision of this food guide in 2003. 2005 finally saw
the release of the new food pyramid guide. This new guide breaks the food
categories into six color bands. Depending on the quantity of consumption, the
color bands are made thinner or wider. It recommends the necessary intake of
grains, fruits, vegetable, meat, milk and oils. It also has a staircase
formation along the side as a reminder for naturally sedentary Americans to burn
more calories through exercise.
The new guide is an interactive source that is currently available only over the
Internet. It can be accessed from the USDA website. The new pyramid is more a
Food Guidance System unlike the earlier emblematic icon. The online version
allows people to create logins and keep a record of a year’s intake of food and
exercise. These users can then analyze the data against the provisions of the
guide. This MyPyramid tracker is a feature that was not available ever before.
Using the new pyramid Americans can chart a healthier lifestyle for themselves.
About Diets Reviewed
Diets Reviewed provides news,
research, and opinions on online diet plans - including those from
eDiets and the
South Beach Diet.
|
