One size does not fit all… Now, the new food guide’s aim is to help people with portion sizes, and remind them of the importance of physical activity, in a more comprehensive way.
Old food pyramid, which has no mention of physical activity, and has not been received well by the public, as demonstrated by the growing obesity and diabetes epidemics. The 1992 food pyramid, with horizontal bands containing drawings of one of the food groups. The USDA recommended eating more foods from the bottom of the pyramid and fewer from the top.
The new food plate has vertical wider at the bottom of the pyramid and narrower toward the top. The purpose of the vertical bands is to remind you to eat more food in each group that contains whole and natural foods, and to limit your intake of each food group that has processed fats or refined sugars.
The food plate was designed to remind people to make healthy food choices and to be active.
- Activity: Being active is important.
- Moderation: Within each group, there are choices that are healthier (little or no solid fats or added sugars) and those that are less healthy (added sugars and solid fats). Choose healthier foods more often and less healthy foods less often.
- Personalization: The interactiveWeb site allows you to personalize a food guide pyramid based on your age, your gender, and the amount of physical activity you get.
Go to http://www.MyPyramid.gov to interactively personalize your own diet!
- Proportion: Choose foods from the groups with wide bands more often. Eat less from those groups with narrow bands.
- Variety: Choose foods from all of the food groups.
- Gradual improvement: Take small steps to improve your diet and lifestyle.
(all info taken from: livestrong.com, revolutionhealth.com)
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