Understanding the New USDA Food Pyramid
The Food Guide Pyramid was created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an effort to provide a tool that the average American could use to establish a healthy, well-balanced diet. This pyramid is easier for the general public to understand than the traditional "basic four" food groups model. Using the Five Food Groups contained within the Pyramid, an individual can develop an eating plan that incorporates the nutrients needed on a daily basis. A minimum amount of daily servings from each group is displayed as well as an example of the source of foods from each group. The new 2005 Food Pyramid increases the importance placed on fruits, vegetables, and grains, and limiting daily intake of fats, oils and sweets. Equally important, eating a variety of foods from within each food group is essential to a healthy, balanced diet. For example, some vegetables may be high in certain nutrients but low in others. Other vegetables may be able to provide these nutrients that are lacking. In order to receive the more than forty nutrients necessary for optimal health, we need to eat a lot of different foods within the different groups, as well as from the different groups. While not designed to be a calorie specific food management tool, when the food items from each group are low fat and the number of servings are kept to the minimum, Pyramid menus can provide as few as 1200-1400 calories.
