The Food Pyramid Gets A Facelift
Submitted by Dr. Gwenn Is In
When the “new” food pyramid was released a few years ago, I have to admit, I found it difficult to sell it to people, especially families. It was hard to follow, bulky and contained too much information. It’s not that the suggestions were not reasonable, they were just too much to take in at once or incorporate into today’s busy lifestyles.
Turns out I’m not alone in my concern and confusion over the current FDA food pyramid. White Coat Notes today posted that Harvard’s School of Public Health developed a new food pyramid that strives to clear up the confusion and allow us to finally eat, exercise and live healthier and happier lives. Check it out:
Harvard’s new food pyramid isn’t just a repackaging of the old. While the pyramid looks the same, it also clearly recognizes that people, real people, eat real food. Their pyramid includes wine, for example. While on the outskirts of the pyramid, it is there to remind us that wine is ok in moderation. Placing it near the pyramid is a visual statement that the researchers recognize that real people need a way to incorporate some things that may not be so healthy, like wine.
The quick tips on the right side bar are also indicators of a new, real-life philosophy. The tip that caught my attention was number 2:
“Focus on food, not grams. The Healthy Eating Pyramid doesn’t worry about specific servings or grams of food, so neither should you. It’s a simple, general guide to how you should eat when you eat.”
Amazing! We can finally stop worrying about labels and figuring out what those grams really mean and just eat while learning to do so in moderation with a focus on serving size and a balanced diet.
The remainder of those tips, by the way, are similarly phrased with an emphasis on real-world living. None of these tips are old but the emphasis is new. Here’s another example:
“Take a multivitamin, and maybe have a drink. Taking a multivitamin can be a good nutrition insurance policy. Moderate drinking for many people can have real health benefits, but it’s not for everyone. Those who don’t drink shouldn’t feel that they need to start. For more information, read “Alcohol: Balancing Risks and Benefits.”"
This one is also great:
“Cut way back on American staples. Red meat, refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, and salty snacks are part of American culture, but they’re also really unhealthy. Go for a plant-based diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. And if you eat meat, fish and poultry are the best choices.”
Note the language - just plain and down to earth. You feel like you are being talked to without some heavy guilt trip. This is exactly what we all need!!
The other tips, you already know: exercise, eat fruits and veggies, watch the fat.
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In the end, old fashioned healthy eating, moderation and exercise should be all of our guiding principles and what we should be teaching our kids. And, now we have a more practical road map to use to attempt to do that.
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