The food pyramid is a diagram representing the recommended amounts of the base food groups that should be consumed everyday. The original pyramid had six horizontal divisions, with each division represented by a food group. The food groups were represented as drawings and the pyramid recommended consumption of more food groups that were located on the lower part. However, this old food pyramid has since then been modified. The current food pyramid now has vertical divisions that become narrower as it gets to the top. This new model recommends consumption of more foods that are natural and whole and to minimize consumption of those foods that have refined sugars or processed fat. For instance, one should eat more whole wheat bread rather than cakes or donuts.
Food Groups as Shown in the New Food Pyramid
The new food pyramid distinguishes each food group according to color, unlike the old pyramid where food groups where shown in pictures and some words. Aside from colors, the food groups are also given shorter names.
Meats and beans are represented by the color purple, fruits are represented by the color red, milk is represented by the color blue, vegetables are represented by the color green and grains are represented by the color orange. As the vertical divisions on the pyramid become narrower, so should consumption of these food groups. For instance, one should take in grains the most and oils the least.
Oils as Part of the Food Pyramid
On the new food pyramid, oils are represented by the color yellow. This definitely means that oils are as important as any of the other food groups and should not be omitted from the diet. However, as depicted on the pyramid, oil consumption should be taken at a minimum. Dietary Guidelines for 2010 show that consumption of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats is important to a person’s heart and his overall health.
Also, in every division in the food pyramid, it is always recommended that consumption of foods that contain transfat or saturated fats should be very minimal. What is recommended is to eat foods that have low fat content or no saturated fat content at all.
Activity as Part of the Food Pyramid
As seen on the new food pyramid, activities are recommended daily. This is a clear recommendation that aside from eating a healthy diet, physical activity also has a significant effect on a person’s overall health. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise is recommended every day to ensure good health.
There are better alternatives: the new Healthy Eating Plate and the Healthy Eating Pyramid, both built by faculty members in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, in conjunction with colleagues at Harvard Health Publications. The Healthy Eating Plate fixes the flaws in USDA’s MyPlate, just as the Healthy Eating Pyramid rectifies the mistakes of the USDA’s food pyramids. Both the Healthy Eating Plate and the Healthy Eating Pyramid are based on the latest science about how our food, drink, and activity choices affect our health—and are unaffected by businesses and organizations with a stake in their messages.