USDA Food Pyramid Guide
When the USDA food pyramid guidelines were established for our daily food requirements, 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 USDA food pyramid did do more than anything prior to educate people about the need to eat some items from each of the food groups.
We need something from all of them in order to maintain healthy eating and maintain our health. That information no one is disputing. What we, as a population are beginning to question, however, are the daily caloric levels and recommended daily intake levels.
With the growing awareness of individual needs, and the pressure from all areas of medicine, traditional and alternative, the USDA has now researched and republished the USDA food pyramid.
The New USDA Food Pyramid
The original USDA food pyramid had four food groups; the newly established pyramid has five. The new USDA food pyramid addresses many different issues, from age, weight, and gender requirements to overall health matters.
Limiting the amount of intake and advice about the health concerns when we eat more than enough is also included in the new USDA food pyramid. It is now color coded, so that it is easier for children and adults to find where they fit.
The new USDA food pyramid is much enhanced 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.
Food Groups of USDA Food Pyramid
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 adding up 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 USDA food Pyramid guide.
Other items of interest are tips on food selection, suggested recipes, and food substitutions. I think the USDA did a much better job with the new USDA food pyramid 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 USDA food pyramid and the addition of standard information is a direct result of some of the health conditions facing our population today.
Additional Standard Information
The inclusion of varying recommended levels depending upon your gender, lifestyle and age group are 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 USDA food pyramid 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.
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