Food Pyramid - Gael
Answer
Above is a picture of the food pyramid(Outdated). Image source
1. What is the Food Pyramid, and why was it created?
The Food Pyramid was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1992. It is a visual guide to help people make healthier food choices. It was designed to show the proportions of different food groups that should be eaten for a balanced diet. The base of the pyramid consists of grains (such as bread, rice, and pasta) and the top represents fats, oils, and sweets. The pyramid aimed to promote health to people and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
2. Has the Food Pyramid been updated or replaced?
Yes, the Food Pyramid was replaced in 2011 by MyPlate.gov. It is a more modern and practical approach to nutrition. MyPlate focuses on the proportions of food groups using a plate illustration to make it easier for people to visualize balanced healthy meals. The shift from the Food Pyramid to MyPlate was to make the message of a more balanced, portion-controlled eating. The public is still currently adapting to the changes in the food pyramid.
3. Why is the Food Pyramid considered outdated or inaccurate?
The Food Pyramid has been criticized for its emphasis on grains at the base. Many health experts now believe that grains should not be consumed in such large quantities, especially refined grains. The pyramid also recommended consuming low-fat dairy and meat without analyzing the potential harm of processed foods or the importance of healthy fats. More recent health guidelines emphasize a healthy lifestyle of activity and nutrient-dense, whole foods. This includes healthy fats and protein sources while reducing the emphasis on highly processed carbohydrates. Today, there are many types of diets one can follow.
4. How can the general public use MyPlate or the Food Pyramid to create healthier eating habits?
MyPlate serves as an easy-to-understand tool for meal planning. It encourages people to fill half of their plate with fruits and vegetables, with a smaller portion of lean proteins, grains, and dairy. While the Food Pyramid is outdated it can be seen as a more general framework, MyPlate’s focus is on portion control and is more in line with the current understanding of nutrition. People have a better knowledge of different diets. With access to information today many can look into various types of diet.
Sources
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - MyPlate
MyPlate.gov -
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - The Nutrition Source
Harvard Nutrition Source -
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight
CDC - Healthy Eating -
Harvard Medical School - The Truth About Fats: The Good, the Bad, and the In-Between
Harvard Medical School - Fat -
U.S. Department of Agriculture, & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). History of the dietary guidelines. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/about-dietary-guidelines/history-dietary-guidelines -
The comprehensive approach to diet: A critical review. Gerber, M. (2001). The comprehensive approach to diet: A critical review. Journal of Nutrition, 131(11 Suppl), 3051S–3055S. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11659044_The_Comprehensive_Approach_to_Diet_A_Critical_Review
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Book:
- Price, Weston A. Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. 8th ed., Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, 2018.
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Scholarly Article:
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"Dietary Guidelines for Americans: A Review of the Evolution of the Science and Policy."Karen D. J. B. L. Ellis, James W. McCullough Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2018.
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