Is the food pyramid healthy?

[Teetotaler69]

I wish I knew that before paying my medical premiums.

If only lol
love you

[AndrewMC]

As an '80s baby, I totally remember the food pyramid! Back then, it was all about bread and pasta, which doesn't align with today's low-carb trends. I used it as an excuse to munch on bagels and cream cheese – good times! But hey, things have evolved since then. Now it's all about MyPlate, not a pyramid anymore. Fruits and veggies take center stage; no more bread baskets. I also like incorporating other healthy foods, like beef broth. What about you?

[OctoberRed]

As an '80s baby, I totally remember the food pyramid! Back then, it was all about bread and pasta, which doesn't align with today's low-carb trends

Yes, in the 80s it was all over the place

[Rocky-hunter619]

The traditional food pyramid model has faced criticism for oversimplifying dietary guidelines and not always reflecting the most current scientific knowledge. In response to these concerns, some countries and organizations have adopted more nuanced dietary recommendations, such as the MyPlate model in the United States, which emphasizes specific portion sizes and the importance of various food groups. Food pyramid, when used as a general guideline and combined with up-to-date nutritional information, can be a useful tool to promote healthy eating habits. But, it should be supplemented with more detailed dietary recommendations and personalized guidance from healthcare professionals and registered dietitians to meet individual dietary needs and health goals.

[Eff Pandas]

I suppose if you simply watch your calorie intake any "diet" is healthy enough as many ppl do fine on various diets throughout the world.

There does appear to be certain diets that work better than others if you are hip to the Blue Zone eating habits where ppl tend to have healthier & longer lives so I don't think the food pyramid is anything close to an ideal diet one should have for maximum health & longevity outcomes.

[Zaroku]

I did the Atkins diet and looked gaunt

i was eating raw beef, whale meat and stuff

I got lean and dizzy

I have anemia now and I eat raw liver

I lost a lot of blood when I got my ribs br

[OctoberRed]

I suppose if you simply watch your calorie intake any "diet" is healthy enough as many ppl do fine on various diets throughout the world.

There does appear to be certain diets that work better than others if you are hip to the Blue Zone eating habits where ppl tend to have healthier & longer lives so I don't think the food pyramid is anything close to an ideal diet one should have for maximum health & longevity outcomes.

Sometimes I cut calories and it makes little to no difference. I think my body rations the calories when they are low

[jacobgary]

Why does the food pyramid include so many carbohydrates? How have recommendations changed over time? — Denise, Park City, Utah

I am an ‘80s baby, so when I think of nutritional guidelines my mind automatically conjures up this:

Heavy on the bread and pasta, this diet doesn’t exactly jive with low-carb modern food trends like keto and paleo. As a teen, I used it to justify a diet that consisted primarily of bagels and cream cheese, arguing to my mother I was merely adhering to government-recommended nutrition guidelines.

But the pyramid has changed since then. In fact, it’s no longer a pyramid at all. Dietary guidelines for Americans are updated every five years, based on the latest scientific evidence, a spokesperson for the US Department of Agriculture tells me.

The USDA published its first dietary advice in 1894, suggesting a diet balanced between protein, carbohydrates, fat and “mineral matter.” During the Great Depression, and again during World War II, recommendations were adapted to help people cope with economic disparity and supply shortages. As troops marched across Europe, the USDA suggested Americans focus on seven basic food groups:

In the 1980s, USDA officials expanded their view past just getting enough nutrition, and also considered preventing disease. They mostly did so by urging people to limit the consumption of fats, sugars and salt. But not everybody noticed the new guidelines. That’s where the food pyramid came in. After years of consumer study, it debuted in 1992 with an eye-popping design. The image, along with Beanie Babies and the ****e Girls, became one of the era’s icons. (If you want to go deep on the history here, read this.)

The pyramid had one somewhat chaotic-looking redesign in 2005, this time putting more emphasis on veggies (and exercise, with a person climbing stairs along the side of the pyramid).

Then in 2011, the pyramid disappeared. The USDA replaced it with the design we still have today, a plate divided into five categories:

Gone is the bread basket of yesteryear. Fruits and veggies make up half the plate. And fats — the former top of the pyramid, lumped together with sweets — are now absent altogether. It’s not quite paleo — sometimes referred as the “caveman diet” — but it does reflect a newer understanding of the importance of fruits and vegetables.

MyPlate, as the new graphic is dubbed, has its critics. Harvard University, for example, launched a competing graphic that emphasizes whole grains and healthier proteins including fish, poultry and beans, over red meat. It recommends limiting dairy, consuming healthy oils (like olive oil) and drinking water.

The truth is that we are still learning about what makes people lose, gain and maintain weight. And as we learn, the guidelines will probably change, too. — Kristen V. Brown

At 75, the UK’s National Health Service is buckling under the weight of underfunding and a yearslong backlog of patients.

An analysis by a team of Bloomberg News journalists underscores just how deep the problems run at the public health service — and how difficult they will be to fix. It also shows that, in many cases, a person’s postal code can affect whether they live or die when seeking care.

The food pyramid included many carbohydrates because historical dietary recommendations prioritized them for energy and nutrient intake. Recommendations have changed over time to reflect evolving scientific understanding and health priorities. In the 1980s, a shift towards disease prevention led to advice on limiting fats, sugars, and salt. The iconic food pyramid visually represented these guidelines, with later revisions emphasizing balanced portions. Today, MyPlate emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Ongoing research continues to shape dietary recommendations, recognizing the complexity of weight management and health maintenance.

[Dr. Z]

Why does the food pyramid include so many carbohydrates? How have recommendations changed over time? — Denise, Park City, Utah

I am an ‘80s baby, so when I think of nutritional guidelines my mind automatically conjures up this:

Heavy on the bread and pasta, this diet doesn’t exactly jive with low-carb modern food trends like keto and paleo. As a teen, I used it to justify a diet that consisted primarily of bagels and cream cheese, arguing to my mother I was merely adhering to government-recommended nutrition guidelines.

But the pyramid has changed since then. In fact, it’s no longer a pyramid at all. Dietary guidelines for Americans are updated every five years, based on the latest scientific evidence, a spokesperson for the US Department of Agriculture tells me.

The USDA published its first dietary advice in 1894, suggesting a diet balanced between protein, carbohydrates, fat and “mineral matter.” During the Great Depression, and again during World War II, recommendations were adapted to help people cope with economic disparity and supply shortages. As troops marched across Europe, the USDA suggested Americans focus on seven basic food groups:

In the 1980s, USDA officials expanded their view past just getting enough nutrition, and also considered preventing disease. They mostly did so by urging people to limit the consumption of fats, sugars and salt. But not everybody noticed the new guidelines. That’s where the food pyramid came in. After years of consumer study, it debuted in 1992 with an eye-popping design. The image, along with Beanie Babies and the ****e Girls, became one of the era’s icons. (If you want to go deep on the history here, read this.)

The pyramid had one somewhat chaotic-looking redesign in 2005, this time putting more emphasis on veggies (and exercise, with a person climbing stairs along the side of the pyramid).

Then in 2011, the pyramid disappeared. The USDA replaced it with the design we still have today, a plate divided into five categories:

Gone is the bread basket of yesteryear. Fruits and veggies make up half the plate. And fats — the former top of the pyramid, lumped together with sweets — are now absent altogether. It’s not quite paleo — sometimes referred as the “caveman diet” — but it does reflect a newer understanding of the importance of fruits and vegetables.

MyPlate, as the new graphic is dubbed, has its critics. Harvard University, for example, launched a competing graphic that emphasizes whole grains and healthier proteins including fish, poultry and beans, over red meat. It recommends limiting dairy, consuming healthy oils (like olive oil) and drinking water.

The truth is that we are still learning about what makes people lose, gain and maintain weight. And as we learn, the guidelines will probably change, too. — Kristen V. Brown

At 75, the UK’s National Health Service is buckling under the weight of underfunding and a yearslong backlog of patients.

An analysis by a team of Bloomberg News journalists underscores just how deep the problems run at the public health service — and how difficult they will be to fix. It also shows that, in many cases, a person’s postal code can affect whether they live or die when seeking care.

In general, yes the old food pyramid is right. I think people need more f fruits and Veggies , less red meats. And sparse amount of fat.

You would think here in the USA one food group is fast food, another is ice cream and deserts. These two " groups " occupy a big portion of the modern food pyramid.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that the average weight of men in the US is 199.8 pounds. The average weight for women is 170.8 pounds.Dec 13, 2021

I don't know about you but I am a fan of the lower weight class among women.

Something is very wrong here....

[kamilawal]

I think that the food pyramid is a good starting point for healthy eating, but it's important to remember that it's just a general guideline. Individual needs may vary depending on age, activity level, and health status. It's always a good idea to talk to a registered dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional to get personalized advice. Also u can read more info here. Wish u health!