A while back, I set out to find a healthier way of eating than the standard American diet, which is laden with fat, sodium, sugar, and a variety of dangerous chemicals. I thought a good place to start would be the USDA food pyramid, which had been ingrained into my brain from an early age. After studying it as well as its successor, MyPlate, I was left unfulfilled.
Amongst the principal concerns using the pyramid might be the recommendation for all of us to consume 6-11 servings of breads, pastas, together with other grain products each and every single day. Not only is that an excessive volume of grains, there is no reference to whole grain items versus refined grains. Yet another disadvantage would be that the pyramid fails to separate meat, chicken, seafood, and nuts in spite of having entirely distinct nutritional profiles. Chicken commonly has significantly less saturated fat than meat, cold-water seafood, nuts and seeds. moreover, it doesn't separate the healthier fat in seafood and nuts in comparison to the unhealthy fatty foods regularly found in meat. I also think there is an excessive volume of dairy at 2-3 portions every single day. Why do humans need to drink the milk product of some other animal? uppermost section of the pyramid, which contains fats, oils, and sweets also fails to separate essential fats in some oils and undesirable fats in sweets. Additionally, listing fat like it's a food category like meat is confusing.
In 2011, the pyramid was replaced with MyPlate. Although the MyPlate recommendations suggest a greater amount of nutrition coming from fruits and vegetables, it still comes up short in other areas. The guidelines still allow for half of grains to be refined while in the meat section, they do not differentiate processed meats like hotdogs and sausages. Meanwhile, healthy fats are completely missing from the plate. My dairy concerns remain from the earlier pyramid.
Luckily, I found an approach that is considerably more healthy, aptly named the Healthy Eating Pyramid, researched and designed by Harvard faculty. It uses independent research studies and dietary analysis, without the influence of the food industry lobby, which unfortunately appears to apply to the USDA's efforts. Harvard's pyramid makes several crucial enhancements and distinctions in comparison to the USDA's suggestions. First off, in addition to making distinctions from whole grain items and refined grains, the level of refined grains is significantly lowered. The same thing applies to red meat and processed meat. They are separated from seafood and chicken, and recommended to be eaten infrequently.
Harvard's pyramid also consists of sections on healthy oils, nuts, and seeds, distinguishing between healthy (unsaturated) and unhealthy (saturated) fats. Their research suggests either a lower amount of dairy, compared to the USDA's version, at 1-2 portions each day or supplementation with vitamin D and calcium. A multivitamin and daily exercise are also important pieces to the overall philosophy.
In my opinion, Harvard's pyramid is substantially healthier than either of the USDA's attempts. It seems more independent and based on better research. If you are considering making improvements to your diet, I suggest you take a look at the Healthy Eating Pyramid.
Amongst the principal concerns using the pyramid might be the recommendation for all of us to consume 6-11 servings of breads, pastas, together with other grain products each and every single day. Not only is that an excessive volume of grains, there is no reference to whole grain items versus refined grains. Yet another disadvantage would be that the pyramid fails to separate meat, chicken, seafood, and nuts in spite of having entirely distinct nutritional profiles. Chicken commonly has significantly less saturated fat than meat, cold-water seafood, nuts and seeds. moreover, it doesn't separate the healthier fat in seafood and nuts in comparison to the unhealthy fatty foods regularly found in meat. I also think there is an excessive volume of dairy at 2-3 portions every single day. Why do humans need to drink the milk product of some other animal? uppermost section of the pyramid, which contains fats, oils, and sweets also fails to separate essential fats in some oils and undesirable fats in sweets. Additionally, listing fat like it's a food category like meat is confusing.
In 2011, the pyramid was replaced with MyPlate. Although the MyPlate recommendations suggest a greater amount of nutrition coming from fruits and vegetables, it still comes up short in other areas. The guidelines still allow for half of grains to be refined while in the meat section, they do not differentiate processed meats like hotdogs and sausages. Meanwhile, healthy fats are completely missing from the plate. My dairy concerns remain from the earlier pyramid.
Luckily, I found an approach that is considerably more healthy, aptly named the Healthy Eating Pyramid, researched and designed by Harvard faculty. It uses independent research studies and dietary analysis, without the influence of the food industry lobby, which unfortunately appears to apply to the USDA's efforts. Harvard's pyramid makes several crucial enhancements and distinctions in comparison to the USDA's suggestions. First off, in addition to making distinctions from whole grain items and refined grains, the level of refined grains is significantly lowered. The same thing applies to red meat and processed meat. They are separated from seafood and chicken, and recommended to be eaten infrequently.
Harvard's pyramid also consists of sections on healthy oils, nuts, and seeds, distinguishing between healthy (unsaturated) and unhealthy (saturated) fats. Their research suggests either a lower amount of dairy, compared to the USDA's version, at 1-2 portions each day or supplementation with vitamin D and calcium. A multivitamin and daily exercise are also important pieces to the overall philosophy.
In my opinion, Harvard's pyramid is substantially healthier than either of the USDA's attempts. It seems more independent and based on better research. If you are considering making improvements to your diet, I suggest you take a look at the Healthy Eating Pyramid.
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