From MyPyramid to MyPlate – Food Recommendations from Special Interests

In 1992, the USDA sought to convey to Americans what it meant to maintain a healthy diet using a colorful and easy to understand graphic – the food pyramid.  The food pyramid was utilized by schools, government programs (such as the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and various major media outlets to convey the elements of a healthy diet.

As the obesity rates in the US continued to climb, in 2011, the food pyramid was replaced with the MyPlate diagram.  MyPlate illustrates recommended portions directly on a representative plate and aims to educate Americans on the food intake and portioning that constitutes a healthy diet.

The challenge with both of these tools has been that while many qualified experts were consulted on their development, so to were corporate lobbyists and industry groups who are major contributors to government parties.

What is truly needed are recommended nutritional guidelines that are not influenced by corporate lobbyists or governmental agencies.

Read the full article on: www.forbes.com

Related posts

Why reduced-fat foods are making you fat
A whopping 65 percent of people want to reduce the amount of fat in their diets, according to a recent Nielson survey, despite overwhelming research that shows low-fat diets may actually promote weight gain.  So how has this monster of myth lived for so long? Because people still think fat makes them fat, says Donald […]
Nutrition and Lifestyle Modifications for Diabetes Patients
In a new study published in US Endocrinology, researchers examined the effectiveness of nutrition and lifestyle modifications in improving diabetes outcomes. One of their essential focuses was on the “ABCs” of diabetes management: A1c, blood pressure and cholesterol. Maintaining an A1c level of about 7%, keeping your blood pressure <140/90mmHg, and maintaining LDL at <100mg/dL (with […]