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Food Pyramids
Food Pyramids help us to choose foods right. Food pyramids place foods in categories — such as dairy products or meat and beans — to help guide your food choices. Food pyramids generally go hand-in-hand with weight charts and are based on a specific number of calories per day in the diet and most importantly, foods that our bodies need for fuel. Food pyramids generally reflect more specific guidelines called the Dietary Guidelines, which in most countries are updated every five years, indicating the rapid advances in our understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet.
The Asian, Latin, Mediterranean, and vegetarian pyramids promoted by Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust are also good, evidence-based guides for healthy eating. Some food pyramids are very similar while others evoke eating principles into the overall diet plan based on culture, the internal workings of the body, activity levels and food combining.
The Old Pyramid
| The New Pyramid
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What Are These Pyramids?
How are food pyramids different to food chains?
These pyramids reflect the same general principles of healthy eating but allow for different food choices. New food pyramids make balancing diet and activity easier. In food pyramids all foods are divided into categories. These pyramids outline various food groups and food choices that, if eaten in the right quantities, form the foundation of a healthy diet. Guidelines for choosing foods are widely represented in various food pyramids.
Given the growing numbers of overweight and obese adults and children, it is little wonder that physical activity features in most dietary guidelines around the world and increasingly in healthy eating pyramids. It may help to know that the basic principles of food pyramids are largely the same and generally emphasize the following: Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Although food pyramids reflect the same general principles of healthy eating, they demonstrate different food choices. There are also vegetarian food pyramids, vegan pyramids, special variations for diabetics and young children. The Mediterranean diet is just one of a number of alternative healthy eating pyramids. A major difference between the Mediterranean and Asian Diet Pyramids and the USDA Food Guide Pyramid is their distinction between plant and animal proteins.
Udo's Choice Food Pyramids are three nutritional advice pyramids developed by Udo Erasmus: one each for "healthy" people, "sick" people and "active" people. Pointing to growing levels of obesity and degenerative illnesses as evidence that conventional nutritional advice is not working, he developed these food pyramids which place more emphasis on green vegetables and good-quality plant oils such as in nuts and seeds, and less emphasis on carbohydrates and processed foods.
However, the basic structure of the original guide to food pyramids is reasonable and there is no need to create a new "concept" for educating the public on nutrition and balanced diet. Yes, the original guide to food pyramids needs a little tweaking, but that's it. The food groups among food pyramids may vary somewhat. How food pyramids address servings also varies.
It may help to know that the basic principles of food pyramids are largely the same and generally emphasize the following: Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. As you can see, the Food Pyramid is a way to demonstrate to people what a healthy diet consists of. Use these guidelines sensibly and you’ll be rewarded with good health for you and your children.
© Copyright: Magriet Du Plessis
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