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Government Releases New Food Pyramid
The Department of Agriculture has introduced a new food
pyramid—pyramids to be precise. Instead of a one-size fits all pyramid,
there are now 12 different versions, each slightly different, depending on
a person's age, sex, and level of physical activity. The new nutritional
guideline system is called MyPyramid.
“MyPyramid is about the ability of Americans to personalize their
approach when choosing a healthier lifestyle that balances nutrition and
exercise,” said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.
The food pyramid is similar to the old one in shape only. The new
version is color-coded: orange for grains, green for vegetables, red for
fruits, yellow for fats and oils, blue for milk, and purple for meats and
beans. It also features a stick person climbing staircase to symbolize the
importance of exercising every day.
In general, the pyramid recommends that each day people eat about 6
ounces of grains, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of milk,
5.5 ounces of meat or beans, and only a small amount of fats and oils. A
website, www.mypyramid.gov, gives further
details about which type of foods provide the most nutrition.
The new food pyramid has its critics, however. Dr. Walter Willett of
the Harvard School of Public Health said, “I don't think the graphic
itself is much of an advance at all except that it shows physical
activity.”
Rethinking the Food Pyramid: The New
Guidelines
In 1992, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department
of Agriculture created the food pyramid. It recommended the number of
servings of each food group a person should eat daily to stay healthy. The
food groups in the pyramid include: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy,
meat, and fats and oils. Today, more than two-thirds of Americans are
overweight or obese. In 2005, the government, recognizing a potential
health crisis, issued new, tougher guidelines on how to get—and
stay—healthy and fit. Here are the highlights:
What’s In
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Five servings of fruits and vegetables a
day—the old recommendation—are no longer enough to maintain good nutrition
and prevent disease. The new goal is nine servings a day: four half-cup
servings of fruit per day and five of vegetables or legumes, such as
beans, peas and lentils.
WHOLE GRAINS: Look for whole kernels of wheat or other grains in
your bread and cereals. Whole-grain goods are packed with more nutrients
than white bagels, bread, cakes or muffins made from refined flours.
EXERCISE: Get up and get moving! The new guidelines say people
should exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
What to Avoid
SODIUM: For the first time, the government recommends a target
for salt intake: no more than 1 teaspoon of salt a day. Too much salt can
cause high blood pressure.
FATS: Fat should make up 35% or less of your daily calorie
intake. Try to avoid eating trans fats (found in processed foods). These
types of fat are often listed as “partially hydrogenated” oils in the list
of ingredients.
SUGAR: It’s hard to remove sugar from your diet, but you can
certainly cut down the amount you eat. Soda is loaded with sugar. The
guidelines suggest that in addition to cutting back on sweet sodas, people
should opt for low-fat milk, water, or any other beverage that’s low in
sugar.
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education,
Inc. All rights reserved.
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