Since its appearance in 1992, the USDA Food Pyramid has been somewhat controversial. It incorporated many valuable features but also led to some confusion regarding certain aspects. In 2005, attempts were made to clarify the Food Pyramid's guidelines but these attempts were only partially successful. So what exactly is the value of the Food Pyramid and why do some groups hold skepticism regarding its usefulness?
The Food Pyramid is essentially a graphic developed by the U.S government in the attempt to render dietary guidelines easy to follow. In both visual form as well as with supplementary textual explanation, it outlines how much of what food type should be consumed daily.
It recommended 6 to 11 servings of whole grains per day and overall this is good advice. Valuable fiber is contained in whole grains along with essential fatty acids, valuable carbohydrates, and more. Oatmeal, whole grain bread, and brown rice, all falling in this category, are definitely nutritious foods.
The Food Pyramid also suggested 3 to 5 servings of vegetables daily. Again, this is good advice. Leafy green vegetables contain vitamin A and vitamin C- both invaluable to the body. Bushy vegetables are rich in iron and calcium. All vegetables tend to be low in calories and fat, which is clearly an advantage to those who are seeking healthy weight loss guides and individuals who are weight conscious.
Unfortunately, along with all its good attributes the Food Pyramid also contained some drawbacks. Nutritional sciences continually grows by great leaps and bounds. Many research projects have been undertaken and completed and are often written up in professional journals. These research projects continue to increase. Due to advancements, many considered the Food Pyramid outdated by the turn of the millennium.
Additionally, the original recommendations contained some suggestions that were deemed questionable according to the research and knowledge available even in the early 1990s. Three cups of whole milk or and 8 oz hamburger contain considerable fat along with their proteins. But the Food Pyramid suggested that fats be consumed sparingly even though fat is essential in a healthy eating plan. Of course, keeping the amount of fat low is helpful to those who are seeking healthy weight loss, but fat also comes in different types and this was not clarified.
Recommended amounts were also confusing at times, especially for those who were seeking healthy weigh loss. The Food Pyramid recommended 2 to 3 servings daily of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, or dried beans in order to receive proteins. This however, was meant to be used as a maximum amount. The guideline for daily fruit servings was set at 2 to 4 servings but this guideline was intended to be used as a minimum.
Moreover, the question as to what exactly constitutes a portion or serving is fraught with difficulty since the answer is dependant on the type of food under discussion. When determining the size of a serving of grains, one slice of bread is considered a serving whereas an ounce of cereal also constitutes a single serving. In terms of vegetables, half a cup of broccoli is deemed a single serving but in the case of raw, leafy vegetables a full cup is a serving. And is that a packed cup or loose cup? Shredded to fit more in or per leaf? One cup of fruit is equal to one portion but this is reduced to half a cup if the fruit is dried. This makes for a rather confusing set up, unless the individual is prepared to consult a lengthy guide for every single food to be consumed, and then spend the time measuring it before eating it.
The new Food Pyramid, introduced in 2005, attempted to overcome some of the confusion and the difficulties inherent in the 1992 version. Unfortunately, in some ways, it is even worse than its predecessor. By using the interactive tool on the USDA website, the individual is met with such information as “Eat a variety of fruit”, and “Eat at least 3 ounces of whole grain bread” in addition to “Eat more dark green vegetables”. The new version, MyPyramid, is available on http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html. Some may find the information useful, and at least MyPyramid represents an attempt to render healthy eating more viable, but the information is often somewhat vague.
The is however an interactive applet that does a better job and provides more detailed information at MyPyramidPlan. This is available on http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx. It may take more time, but the guidelines that it contains are carefully tailored according to age, weight, and activity level.
Diet and nutrition is a highly individualized thing, especially for those seeking healthy weight loss. It requires a commitment from the individual, as well as attention to the details of what is being consumed and what that contains. Like any proposed dietary change, always seek the advice of a physician before commencing.
