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| "The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.
" -- Cecil B. De Mille |
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FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID
Guiding you to where?
(Page one of a three page
article)
When was the first time you heard about nutrition? What kind of foods
were you told to eat? Most likely, you were in grade school when your
teacher told you about the Basic four food groups. It all seemed so
simple. Eat something from each of the four food groups, and you
were doing great! In reality, however, it's not that easy.
Imagine how your car would run on poor quality gasoline. You might start to hear knocks and pings and after a while, it would affect how your car performed. Now imagine how that same car would run on a good quality gasoline. You'd have a much smoother ride and might even lengthen the life of your car.
Well, food is our fuel. It's what we give our bodies to keep them working right. It contains the basic building blocks that our system must have to create the enzymes and biochemicals necessary for life. Our foods also may contain elements that adversely affect how well our bodies are able to work. So the choices we make are a very important factor in determining our future health.
The Food Guide Pyramid we use today is the latest attempt to aid us in making wise choices. It was created for those age two and older. Underlying this food guide, is extensive research and a lot of trials using different shapes and graphical presentations. Also underlying the specific food recommendations, are three very important concepts --the prime concepts-- of good nutrition: Balance, Variety and Moderation.
The number one rule in good nutrition remains: Eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods in moderation. Since no one food gives your body all the nutrients it needs for optimal health, it is important to eat a variety of foods. Eating in moderation allows you to get the good nutrients from the food without eating too much of the "unhealthy" elements that may become a problem.
The Food Guide Pyramid we use today was released in 1992 and is credited to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. From 1956, when the Basic Four Food Groups were initiated, to 1992 and the introduction of our current Food Guide Pyramid, a substantial amount of nutrition research has taken place. Scientists know a lot more now than in 1956, about our nutritional needs. Because of this, changing the food guidance system was a necessity. Most likely there will be other versions of Food Guides that will spring from future research.
We've heard a lot over the years about how the Basic Four Food Groups emphasized the dairy and meat groups. These groups are more likely to have more fat, saturated fat and cholesterol in them and over consumption of these may have contributed, it has been speculated, to the increased incidents of heart disease, cancer, and many other "lifestyle" diseases that have become almost epidemic in this country. The Food Guide Pyramid has changed that emphasis.
There is a philosophical basis for the Pyramid. Basic concepts that are at the core of its formation. These include:
A food guide system should provide a framework for a healthy diet, based on current nutrition research and dietary recommendations.
It must reflect the total diet--all the foods we include in our daily meals and snacks.
It should be based on foods that Americans normally eat, and all foods should be a part of it.
Foods should be classified in groups easily identified and understood
Food servings should be in common measures.
It should allow for maximum flexibility in what foods go into what groups.
Designed for healthy Americans age 2 years and over.
Should be allowed to evolve as our knowledge grows.
Since its introduction, the Food Guide Pyramid has been adapted for many different cultures/ethnicities, ages, and attitudes about food. It has definitely shown itself to be versatile. But how can it be good for all different types of eating patterns? That is one thing we will look at as soon as we first take a look at the Pyramid itself.
What can the Food Guide Pyramid do for you? See what it looks like and how to use it!
A Brief History of Government Food Guides
»»»»»»
1894
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) created the first food composition tables and dietary standards for
Americans.
1933
Family Food Plans gave specific
foods to be eaten each week at various cost levels, to meet nutrition
needs. 12 major food groups were used.
Link To find out about the Food Guide Pyramid for Kids
1941
First Recommended Dietary Allowances
released by the Food & Nutrition Board of the National Academy of
Sciences. Included calories and 9 nutrients.
1942
The Basic Seven food guide was
released by the USDA. Alternate choices were suggested for foods in event
of wartime shortage.
1946
The number of recommended
daily servings was added to the Basic Seven.
1956
The Seven Food Groups were condensed
to the Basic Four, in the publication, "Essentials of an Adequate
Diet"
1977
"Dietary Goals for the United
States" were issued by the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition
and Human Needs.
1979
The USDA issued the
"Hassle-Free Guide to a Better Diet" which added a fifth group
to the Basic Four.
1980
The first "Dietary Guidelines
for Americans" were released by the USDA and the Dept. of Health
& Human Services.