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Since 1992, the federal government has been telling consumers — through its well-known food pyramid — that grain-based foods, from bread to muffins and cereal, are the “base” of any well-balanced diet (6-11 servings per day), followed by vegetables (3-5 servings), fruit (2-4) and so on. The pyramid has been at odds with various specialists who advocate a low-carbohydrate intake they say is much better for health.
But in 2005, the food pyramid received a complete makeover. Gone are the horizontal layers of food groups, along with the group formerly called “fats, oils and sweets.” Instead, the symbol consists of “food group bands” that narrow toward the top, and a person climbing stairs — representing physical activity as a integral part of a healthy lifestyle. The groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk and meat/beans.
“I think they have de-emphasized the starchy food a little bit; the base is no longer a base,” says Nicole Downey, clinical nutrition manager at Harrison Medical Center. “In this country, we consume too much starchy foods, the biggest source of trans-fats.”
Called MyPyramid instead of the Food Guide Pyramid, it incorporates the new dietary guidelines that were released in 2005. The symbol is intended to illustrate personalization, gradual improvement, physical activity, variety, moderation and proportionality, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“It has become a tool that is interactive and can be individualized, while the old one was one-size-fits-all,” Downey says. “It focuses more on what’s best for each person.”
The interactive tool is a Website, MyPyramid.gov, where users can enter their data such as age and physical activity level to receive a generic chart showing the number of servings that should be consumed from each category. A more detailed analysis can be obtained by using the online MyPyramid Tracker, which helps assess dietary and physical activity, and offers advice.
Downey says using MyPyramid is a good starting point, but to individualize the needs further, people should “go deeper.” For example, those who are struggling with weight or feeling like they don’t have a good plan should consult a nutritionist.
“If you want to get an individualized plan, you want to work with someone who can look at all the issues,” she says. Lifestyle, medical history such as allergies or diseases like diabetes all play into creating an effective diet plan. Downey says one of the biggest obstacles is people getting discouraged if they’re not reaching their goals, when it could me a matter of simple adjustments.
That is the same message the new pyramid is trying to convey, according to federal experts. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said in a press release when MyPyramid was unveiled in 2005: “MyPyramid is about the ability of Americans to personalize their approach when choosing a healthier lifestyle that balances nutrition and exercise. Many Americans can dramatically improve their overall health by making modest improvements to their diets and by incorporating regular physical activity into their daily lives.”
Physical activity has become the new buzzword. “We have changed our message a little bit,” Downey says. “We are trying to promote increased activity.” Even at the Kitsap County level, that has become a focus. A coalition was created about a year ago through the Health Department to help promote healthier lives.
“There is a general acknowledgment our population is overweight and sedentary,” Downey says. “If you take less than 3,000 steps a day, you lead a sedentary lifestyle.”
Downey offers a challenge to people who like to make New Year resolutions: “If you’re going to commit to a change in the (new) year, you need to commit to a lifestyle change. Diets don’t last, lifestyle changes do.”. |
