THE FOOD PYRAMID
| The food pyramid shows you
what food groups are healthy and how many servings of each group are recommended
eat
each day. The groups at the top of the pyramid are the most fattening
and should be eaten in small amounts and only occasionally, if you want
to control your weight. The foods at the bottom of the
pyramid can be eaten more frequently and in larger amounts. The
rule is: "If you eat mainly at the top of the food pyramid, you
will be shaped like the bottom of the pyramid." - Courtesy of
Harvard Medical School.
Note: The previous version of the Food Pyramid was put out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The previous version was more weighted towards dairy products, red meat, and breads. This was probably distorted by the department's mission to promote agriculture, especially dairy, beef, and grain farming. Dairy products (like butter, cream, and cheese), red meat, breads, and pasta are now felt to be unhealthy in more than limited amounts. The new pyramid also replaces unhealthy saturated fat (animal fat) with healthier unsaturated vegetable oils; and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables. See Rebuilding The Food Pyramid |