Food pyramid (nutrition)

Evolution of the Pyramids

This 1992 food pyramid diagram can still be found on much of the food packaging in the United States

Steps towards the pyramids

The initial USDA - Pyramid divided the three groups: carbohydrates, vegetables and proteins into six new groups:

1) carbohydrates: Bread, Cereal, Rice & Pasta

Vegetables into:

2) Vegetables

3) Fruits-Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.

Proteins into subgroups:

4) Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts

5) Milk, Yogurt and Cheese

6) Fats, Oils, and Sweets

Description of the 2004 Food Pyramid

Released in 2004, the food pyramid suggested how much of each food category one should eat each day. The food guide pyramid replaced the four food groups. On April 19, 2005, the USDA released the food guide pyramid's successor, MyPyramid.

The original food guiding pyramid, informally known as the food pyramid, was a nutrition guide created by the USDA.

This initial pyramid became famous throughout the world, and was, in some way, an American icon. One issue that this pyramid had was that it was seen as too rigid. The new pyramid reflects the idea that a diet should be shaped according to an individual's needs. The old pyramid allowed individuals to consume the foods within a certain range of servings, but gave no hint on how to interpret that choice.

In general terms the food guide pyramid recommends the following intake of different food groups each day, although exact amounts of calorie intake depends on sex, age, and lifestyle: rice, bread, cereals, and pasta;

• 3-5 servings a day of vegetables, especially green, leafy vegetables;

• 2-4 servings of fruits a day;

• 2-3 servings of meat, fish, eggs, nuts, or beans a day;

• 2-3 servings of dairy products including cheese and yogurt every other day;

• occasional use of fats, oils, and sweets. (very little)

• 3 ounces of grains (at least)

Harvard School of Public Health

The Harvard School of Public Health proposes a different pyramid. They include calcium and multi-vitamin supplements as well as moderate amounts of alcohol.

Many observers believe that the Harvard pyramid more closely follows the results of nutrition studies published in peer reviewed scientific journals. Some claim that the USDA was and is unduly influenced by political pressure exerted by food production associations. Nonetheless most agree that as originally published the USDA pyramid was an excellent guide to good nutrition.