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Loading...A better food pyramid?
It has been a while since the United States food pyramid underwent any significant changes. Some experts, like Marion Nestle, suggest that the current pyramid may be contributing to the obesity crisis with its overemphasis of carbohydrates (e.g. breads, cereals, and grains). Those food groups currently make up the biggest layer of the food pyramid, suggesting that people should eat more of those than any other food group.
In October, the Washington Post speculated that the pyramid may be replaced with something different this year when the federal government updates its dietary guidelines.
In response to that article, GOOD launched a competition for its readers to design a new food pyramid. In early December, it posted the 15 different submissions that it received and Monday it announced the winner. Designed by Andrew Lasky and selected by judge Marion Nestle, it included a two column layout specifying what we should eat more of and what we should eat less of. On the “more” side, it focused on farms, variety, plants, and moderation. On the “less” side it mentions factories, monotony, meat and excess.
While Nestle loved the two-column design, she did mention that she wished it addressed the overconsumption of carbohydrates and emphasized fruits and vegetables more than grains.
If you could suggest a change to the food pyramid, what would you focus on?
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Annie blogs about the art and science of parenting at the PhD in Parenting blog.
Read more: andrew lasky, food pyramid, good, marion nestle, nutrition, real food, usda
Photo credit: little blue hen on flickr
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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+ add your ownmore nuts, fruits, vegetables,grains, emphasis on superfoods like avocados, eliminate meat
Thanks.
Canada changed out pyramid awhile ago, don't forget that 50's style pyramid was made that way due to the meat and dairy companies' influence! After the depression the best way to show your status was to have a kitchen full of meat! Old ads for refigerators offer an interesting glimpse into what people were "supposed" to have in their homes. Three hams anyone?
Thanks for the info.
Sure it needs to be revised, but that doesn't mean it needs to be completely rebuilt.
The food pyramid is fine. It's people who need to make changes to themselves and their diets.
It definitely needs to focus on vegetables, fruits, and legumes, as well as other lean proteins. But it should also ideally emphasize the importance of getting your food from local organic sources (research proves that organic food has greater nutritional value)
more fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, eggs, milk (kids don't drink enough milk or get enough calcium
Definitely more fruits and vegetables...
Natural foods, no packaging, locally grown....if it didnt come packaged, and you made it yourself....that would be a most excellent way to design a pyramid. Its not "meat" we need to eat, its fresh farm raised chicken. We need to cook our beans, not open the can of beans....etc.
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