 |
The "Healthy Eating Pyramid" Pathway Toward Good Health And Long Life
Author: Connie Limon  | Posted: 29-11-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 203 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
Do you ever wonder what happened to the Food Guide Pyramid?
The Food Guide Pyramid was created more than ten years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Pyramid illustrated what the USDA said were the elements of a healthy diet. The Pyramid was taught in schools, appeared in the media and brochures, on cereal boxes and food labels. It seemed like the absolute final word on what we should really eat.
The Food Guide Pyramid is now like a fairytale. It did not point the way toward healthy eating. We are told now the Food Guide Pyramid was based on shaky scientific evidence. It still has not changed over the years to reflect major advances in our understanding of the connection between diet and good health.
Recently, the USDA retired the old Food Guide Pyramid and replaced it with MyPyramid, a new symbol and "interactive food guidance system. This revision is basically the old Pyramid turned on its side.
Good news about the new MyPyramid:
• It tears apart and buries the flawed Pyramid.
Bad news about the MyPyramid:
• The new MyPyramid does not give us enough information to help us make informed choices about our diet and long-term health.
• It continues to recommend foods that are not essential to good health.
• The food quantities recommended may even be detrimental to our overall health.
So.....what do we eat to become and stay healthy?
According to a new dietary guideline released early in January of 2005:
• We are to continue to concentrate on controlling weight;
• Fats were once considered bad. The new guidelines emphasize low intake of Trans fats and to limit our saturated fats. There is not an artificially low cap on fat intake. The latest advice recommends getting between 20% and 35% of daily calories from fats. The new guidelines also recognize the potential health benefits of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats;
• Complex carbohydrates was a term used in the past that has little biological meaning;
• The new guidelines advise Americans to limit sugar intake and stress the benefits of whole grains;
• The guidelines suggest eating half of our grains as refined starch, although refined starches behave like sugar, add empty calories, have adverse metabolic effects, and increase the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
• The guidelines lump together red meat, poultry, fish, beans and soy products and tell us to judge these protein sources by their total fat content. This means to make choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free. This advice ignores the evidence that these foods have different types of fats. It also leaves out evidence that replacing red meat with a combination of fish, poultry, beans, and nuts offers numerous health benefits.
So.....if we follow this new dietary guideline we still may not be eating "right," according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The Harvard School of Public Health nutrition experts created the "Healthy Eating Pyramid." It is based on the best available scientific evidence about the links between diet and health.
The Healthy Eating Pyramid is based upon daily exercise and weight control. Evidence proves daily exercise and weight control influences your chances of staying healthy. They also stress what and how you eat and how your food affects you.
Some highlights of the Healthy Eating Pyramid are outlined below:
• Whole grain foods (at most meals).
• Plant oils: Good sources of unsaturated fats include olive, canola, soy, corn, sunflower, peanut, and other vegetable oils and fatty fish such as salmon.
• Vegetables (in abundance) and Fruits (2 to 3 times per day).
• Fish, poultry, and eggs (0 to 2 times per day). Eggs which have been a long time noted as being "bad for you" because they contain fairly high levels of cholesterol, aren't as bad as once thought to be. An egg for breakfast is much healthier than a bagel made from refined flour.
• Nuts and Legumes (1 to 3 times) are excellent sources of protein and contain healthy fats.
• Dairy or Calcium Supplement (1 to 2 times) Dairy products have been American's main source of calcium. Cheese has also been another popular choice for calcium needs. Try to stick with no-fat or low-fat products. If you don't like dairy products, calcium supplements are the way to go.
• Red meat and butter (use sparingly): If you eat red meat every day, switch to fish or chicken several times a week to improve cholesterol levels. Switching from butter to olive oil will also improve cholesterol levels.
• White rice, white bread, potatoes, white pasta, soda, and sweets (use sparingly): This group of foods can cause fast and furious increases in blood sugar that can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic disorders.
• Multiple vitamins: Taking a daily multivitamin, multimineral supplement offers a nutritional backup. They do not replace healthy eating or make up for unhealthy eating. A standard, store-brand, RDA-level is fine. Look for one that meets the requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia, an organization that sets standards for drugs and supplements.
• Alcohol (in moderation): Many studies suggest that having an alcoholic drink a day lowers the risk of heart disease. For men: 1 to 2 drinks a day. For women: One drink a day.
The Healthy Eating Pyramid certainly summarizes the information I personally have been reading recently as the best dietary information available to us. It is not something set into stone because nutrition researchers will continue to turn up new information in the years ahead. The Healthy Eating Pyramid will change to reflect the new evidence.
The Healthy Eating Pyramid is not the only up-to-date guide for eating healthy. It does take advantage of more extensive research and offers a broader guide that is not based on a specific culture, such as the Asian, Latin, Mediterranean and vegetarian pyramids.
To sum it all up the number one tip for eating for improving your health would be eat foods that have a lot of vitamins and minerals as well as foods that are not high in fat. Exercise moderately.
More Healthy Tips:
• Find the strong points and weak points in your current diet and improve in those areas where you are weak.
• Make small, slow changes.
• Keep track of your food intake by writing down what you eat and drink every day. Use this record to help you see where you need to improve.
• If you have medical problems talk it over with your doctor or a nutritionist before making any significant changes.
• Good nutrition does not come in a pill. Get your doctor's recommendations on vitamins and mineral supplements. Your body will benefit the most from eating healthy foods.
• Eat a variety of foods, and learn to try new foods.
• Prepare your meat either by baking, grilling or broiling rather than frying. Take the skin off chicken before eating. Eat fish at least once a week.
• Cut back on extra fat like butter, margarine, sour cream and salad dressings.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables with your meals and snacks.
• Drink no- or low-calorie beverages like water, unsweetened tea and diet soda.
• Exercise moderately daily.
Balanced nutrition and regular exercise are good for your health if your weight never changes. Don't be discouraged because you don't loose weight after months of regular exercise. The regular exercise offers you a multitude of benefits toward keeping you healthy.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/the-healthy-eating-pyramid-pathway-toward-good-health-and-long-life-76018.html
About the Author:Author: Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.selfimprovementbook1.com and sign up for our helpful newsletters. Self Improvement Book is a guide to information about self improvement, personal growth and self help tips. It is an organized directory referencing information in other websites on the World Wide Web.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Eat More, Lose Weight
By: MN Nikk | 12/04/2007 | Weight Loss
The annoying thing about diets is you tend to lessen the food you eat and get hungry easily. Diets fail because they lessen their food intake.
Eating Healthy
By: Lauren S Johnson | 02/05/2008 | Nutrition
In today’s fast paced society it’s difficult for us not to stop somewhere for a fast meal or a quick refreshment. We often ignore the Nutrition Facts panel on the packaging of the food which we just purchased because most of the time we are driving as we are consuming the product. What we miss by not looking over those important numbers is both shocking and repulsive.
Healthy Diet
By: MN Nikk | 19/07/2007 | Weight Loss
One of the important things you can do for your overall health is to eat a healthy diet. Your diet affects your weight and increases your risks of health diseases. Deciding a healthy diet is easier to say than to do because it is tempting to eat less healthy foods.
Healthy Food Habits for Diabetics
By: Lauren B. Wallace | 06/06/2008 | Nutrition
Diabetes is a very serious illness and proper care is essential in remaining healthy. People with diabetes have to beware of what they eat and when they eat it. This particular illness is very sensitive and any little mistake can cause the blood sugar levels to go up tremendously.
The Importance of Eating a Healthy Diet
By: Sharon James | 18/06/2008 | Weight Loss
Eating a healthy diet is not only important for maintaining a healthy weight but there are a lot of other benefits.
10 Essential Tips for Weight Loss and Healthy Dieting
By: KRedd | 05/03/2008 | Weight Loss
For many people weight loss is a challenge. Diet plays a major factor in the amount of weight you lose and keep off. Check out these very helpful tips to help the pounds stay off and maintain a healthy lifestyle
Several Ways to Eat Right on the Go
By: Lauren B. Wallace | 23/06/2008 | Nutrition
In today’s busy society many of us don’t have a chance to consume a healthy meal. We spend most of our time at work and completing household tasks that we barely have time to stop and treat ourselves to a nutritious snack. What this ultimately means is that many of us resort to junk food while on the go.
The Principles of Eating Healthy
By: MN Nikk | 12/04/2007 | Weight Loss
Deciding a healthy diet can be difficult as every single person is different who likes different things.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I keep getting adrenal surges (that's the best way ...
By: floydian1987 | 25-07-2008
I keep getting adrenal surges (that's the best way I can describe how they feel) that go to my chest and cause me to have chest pain, what could this be
and the other night I felt this shock-like pain go straight to my heart
could this be neck or back pain related?
Shin Splints =[[
By: KWtennis4 | 23-07-2008
Hi! I am a very atletic person. Not only am i good at sports, but i lluv them. however, i have very bad shin splints that make it hard to play sports. what are shin splints an how can i prevent/cure them? thx!
Alicia
By: By his angel light | 23-07-2008
willyDo you find Alicia Simmons PRETTY?!
ALICIA
How can I clear my arteries?
By: dcha12 | 22-07-2008
how can I clear my arteries?
I want larger, thicker, fuller and longer ejaculations
By: Wise Ali | 22-07-2008
How would I be able to produce a larg(er) amounts of semen during an orgasm. Is there a food or drink or exercise that I can intake or perform that increases the amount of cum I have to give?
Lice
By: nagalie | 22-07-2008
I am so grossed out, tired, and aggrivated. I need help. I need some feedback. To begin with, I'm an ultra clean person but I think I have lice. I am not sure. for a week now I have been itching like crazy but didn't find anything until today. I can never find anything at will. Nothing in the seems of my clothes. I only feel them. anyway, today I found on my arm ( think it fell from my head) what I now know looks like lice according to pictures i've seen. It had 6 legs was a transparent brown exept for the dark insides of its body. It was about the size of the period at the end of this sentence but a bit larger including it's legs...(Sooo sorry that you are getting this gross info but it's quite necessary for the process of identifying my problem.) Anyway, I am pretty sure it is lice but the question i want to ask now is what kind? If it is body lice it should be treated different from head lice I think. I know you can get rid of head lice with olive oil but body lice? Here are my symptoms... I am 90% sure I got this from my dog who was in some tall grass the other day. I saw her itching intensely but shes never had any bites before so I didnt think about it. I thought it was allergies and gave her a benedryl. THEN I started itching along with her. I know its not fleas. I don't think its scabies because my bites dont run in lines or around the webbing of my fingers. Not only that but scabies dont look like lice from what I know. Now, I can't tell if it is head or body lice because of this, they are both on my head and on my body. I even feel them in my eyelashes. I have them in my nether regions...and I've never had sex.lol I have bites that look like pimples all spread out on my legs...nether region...round my belly button, on my behind, back and neck. None on my chest or face thank God for that. But head lice are supposed to remain on the head for all I know and body lice on the body. I even feel itchy in my ears. I can barely sleep. Someone help me so I can search for a remedy pleeease. If you have a remedy for either please share it with me . Thanks
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Advice Articles
How You Can Be Your Own Worst Enemy
By: Kevin Sinclair | 25/07/2008
Today, we have a lot of things that we think of as our enemies; terrorists, pollution, global warming, the shrinking middle class, and many other issues are in the forefront as things that can cause us troubles. However, these are things that in many cases, we only have limited control over.
Seven Great Tips for Building Self Esteem
By: CD Mohatta | 25/07/2008
1. Visualize The Best-
If you have ever tried, you may have noticed how difficult it is to break the habit of criticizing yourself. It's like saying, "Don't think of elephants having sex!" But if a bucket is empty you can't get it full by trying to get "the empty" out.
Self Improvement- Role of Quizzes
By: CD Mohatta | 25/07/2008
Self improvement is everyone's goal. All of us want to know about weaknesses and strengths. The awareness about our personality, character, thinking style, emotional reactions, can help us improve ourselves.
Screensavers - Now Get Energized With Inspirational Text
By: CD Mohatta | 25/07/2008
Till now, screensavers have been a tool to enjoy watching scenes. A good screensaver was supposed to have great photographs or animations and good to look at. Not many had thought that screensavers could be used to inspire with text that can re-energize anyone. They are getting made now.
Seven Days For A Winning Edge
By: Kevin Sinclair | 24/07/2008
We can't avoid the headlines and magazine covers sporting photographs of the rich and famous are flaunted at supermarket checkouts. Celebrities seem to live glamorous, fairy tale lives.
Surviving Severe Weather
By: steve kovacs | 24/07/2008
Sometimes simple common sense is what is needed to survive severe weather!
Your Body Craves for Whole Food, Your Soul Longs for a Whole Life
By: Masami Sato | 24/07/2008
As the old saying goes, health is wealth. In this case we refer to spiritual wealth. Whole food is good for health because our body is able to absorb its full nutrients. The same with our life. When we embrace life as a whole, savoring all the experiences and feelings in it, our soul will be able to absorb its full ‘nutrient’, grasping the full essence of our existence, and enabling us to live our life to the fullest. Masami Sato shares the magic of a whole life in this excerpt of her book, ONE.
Ask for that Raise!
By: Kimberly Schenk | 23/07/2008
How we choose to communicate effects every facet of our life. When we use positive communication tools we can expect better outcomes. This true story shows how one man got his needs met using simple communication tools everyone can use.
More from Connie Limon
People Who Worship God From The Mouth; But With A Heart Far From God
By: Connie Limon | 01/08/2007 | Religion
The scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem seem to always be trying to find fault in Jesus and his disciples, not seem to be, rather they did this continually.
Don't you think we have scribes and Pharisees today that do the same thing? I know so.
This time they went to Jesus and...
Jesus And The Parable Of The Sower And Why This Is
By: Connie Limon | 01/08/2007 | Religion
Great multitudes gathered around Jesus to hear his words. Jesus went into a ship and the multitude of people interested in his words stood on the shore. Jesus spoke many things to them in parables.
His disciples asked him why you speak to the multitude of people in parables. Jesus...
John The Baptist Is Beheaded In Prison And Peter Walks On The Water
By: Connie Limon | 01/08/2007 | Religion
Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus and thought he was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod bound John and put him in prison for He-ro'di-as' sake. He-ro'di-as' was his brother's wife. John told Herod it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife....
The Medical Transcriptionist Is A Vital Link In The Delivery Of Patient Healthcare
By: Connie Limon | 29/07/2007 | Careers
The Medical Transcriptionist is a Vital Link in the Delivery of Patient Healthcare
The hospital admission sheet or patient demographic face sheet contains:
Patient's address
Next of kin
Birthplace
Social security number
Occupation
Sex
Marital status
Ethnic origin
Religious preference
Admitting diagnosis
Financial entries that include patient's employer, job title, address...
Drug Forms: A Guide For The Medical Transcriptionist
By: Connie Limon | 29/07/2007 | Careers
Drugs are created in many different forms that include:
Tablet
Capsule
Cream
Ointment
Lotion
Powder
Liquid
Suppositories
Transdermal
Tablets:
Contain dried powdered active drug as well as binders and fillers to provide bulk and proper tablet size. Scored tablets have an indented line running across the top. A scored tablet can be easily broken into two pieces with a knife to...
Transcribing Dermatology Dictation
By: Connie Limon | 29/07/2007 | Careers
Most dermatologic diseases respond well to topical drug therapy. There are mild cases of skin diseases like acne, psoriasis, and poison ivy that can be successfully treated with topical agents.
Acne drugs consist of various creams, lotions, and gels to apply topically. These drugs act to cleanse away oil and dead...
Pharisees Seek To Find Fault In Jesus And Hold A Meeting To Discuss How To Destroy Him
By: Connie Limon | 29/07/2007 | Careers
Many of the mysteries of spirituality have been hidden from the wise and the prudent and have been revealed to the babes of the land. God likes people to be humble and meek because he says that is what he is - meek and lowly in heart. Therefore, he seeks...
Medical Transcription Proofreading Tips
By: Connie Limon | 29/07/2007 | Careers
The correct attitude for a Medical Transcriptionist should be one of independence and responsibility for his or her work. Medical Transcriptionists function with a minimum of direct supervision. The majority do have an immediate supervisor "somewhere" responsible for quality control. Working as a professional Medical Transcriptionist means to take pride...
|
|
Self Improvement 
