It’s time to evaluate the Food Guide Pyramid. The Food Guide Pyramid that we all know was given to us by the USDA in 1992 to replace our beloved four food groups. The four food groups was marketed by the USDA in the early 70s and it encouraged us to eat a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk or cheese and meat, fish or fowl. The 1992 Food Guide Pyramid is more specific, recommending:
• Three to five servings a day of vegetables, especially dark green vegetables and orange vegetables.
• Two to four servings of fruits a day, especially fresh fruits and frozen fruits.
• Two to three servings of meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs or nuts a day, especially dry beans and peas, eggs, nuts and seeds.
• Two to three servings of milk, cheese and yogurt a day, especially milk.
• Occasional use of fats, oils and sweets, especially oils.
• Six to 11 servings of grains a day, especially whole grains.
Who is the USDA? They are the United States Department of Agriculture. They have become a recognized authority in nutrition. According to Wikipedia, “The USDA is a United States Federal Executive Department. Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming, agriculture and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger, in America and abroad.” They have long been known as the champions of big business agriculture. They are required by law to subsidize a minimum of two dozen different agricultural commodities including wheat, corn, rice, dairy, vegetable oil products, cotton, sugar and tobacco. They pay an average of $16 billion per year on subsidies. This amounts to a huge investment in influencing how we eat. It’s no wonder that they recommend that we eat six to11 servings of grains per day. It’s good business.
In 1994, the USDA created the CNPP, the Center for Nutritio
n Policy and Promotion. Their two primary objectives are to advance and promote dietary guidance for all Americans, and conduct applied research and analyses in nutrition and consumer economics. Their primary motivation is still economics (marketing and sales). The CNPP has developed the My Pyramid Food Guide System, which offers eating recommendations on an individual basis according to age, sex and activity level. They still recommend eating from the same food groups presented in the original pyramid, but they recommend varying amounts. Fruits and vegetables receive a larger spotlight and exercise is also recommended. This is definitely an improvement and a great place to start with improving health and fitness.
Watch for next month’s article: A Holistic Food Guide Pyramid recommended specifically for creating and maintaining health and wellness.
For more information on creating and maintaining health and wellness, visit www.HealingWatersValencia.com or call Healing Waters at 661-755-0617.