The U.S. Department of Agriculture has finally released their updated food pyramid. Check out mypyramid.gov for your “personalized” pyramid.
My first thoughts are that this is a huge improvement over the previous pyramid, which has become insanely out of date. Gone is the absurd reliance on all grains, including refined breads and pastas. Gone is the insistence that all oils and fats should be used sparingly. Instead, the new system describes a “Healthy Diet” as one that:
* Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;
* Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and
* Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
The food pyramid, while still utilized here, is presented with a twist: individualized plans are based on a person’s age, gender and amount of daily activity. At first this makes perfect sense, because everyone is different and needs to find the diet that works best for them. However, I also have some fears that the added complexity of this individual plan may be a problem for many Americans who have attention spans shorter than your average TV commercial. If people do take the time to research mypyramid.gov, however, they should find some good information that will encourage a healthy lifestyle.
After a cursory look at the site, here are some pros and cons that I see:
Pros:
– Distinction between whole grains and refined grains
I’m no scientist, but the way I understand it, refined grains, such as white bread, white rice and pasta, and potatoes, are quickly broken down by the body into sugar. This raises insulun levels and makes you get hungry again much faster. Whole grains, on the other hand, take far longer to digest, keeping you satisifed longer. In addition, whole grains contain more vitamins and minerals and are proven to impact long term health.
– Distinction between healthy fats and bad fats
Oils that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol but high in mono and poly fats are an extremely important part of any diet. Saturated fats and Trans fats, should be avoided at all costs. The old pyramid didn’t make this distinction at all.
– Explanations on why it is important to eat whole grains, fruits & vegetables and healthy oils.
Detailed explanations on why these are the most important parts of any diet.
– Tips for eating more whole grains, veggies, etc.
Even when armed with the information, its often hard to find healthy choices in this country. Several pages on the site attempt to help with this problem.
– NO LOW CARB B.S.!!!
Whole grains and legumes are some of the most important things to include in your daily diet, and the low carb fad eliminates much of these essential foods. Some people have short-term success with weight loss on this diet, but the bottom line is that the only way to really lose weight is to eat less and exercise more; at the very least we should be eating for our long term health, not for short term weight loss.
Cons:
– The biggest problem that jumps out at me is that red meats is in the same group as poultry, fish and nuts. This is extremely misleading, especially to all these low carb fadders out there. Red meat is extremely high in saturated fats, while poultry has much less fat. Fish and nuts are even better for you — they have little (to no) saturated fat and are high in mono and poly fats. Red meat really should be used sparingly, while fish should be relied on as a major part of a healthy diet. Combining all these different foods into one group is totally confusing.
– In vegetables, the biggest sub-group is “other vegetables”, with little explanation as to what this means or what the benefits of eating these veggies is. Included here are tomatoes, green beans, asparagus and peppers, to name a few. What are these “other” vegetables and why should i be eating them? They’re obviously a huge part of any healthy diet, so just dumping them in the “other” category seems to be a bit half-hearted.
– As mentioned before, the added complexity of individual plans worry me; people are lazy and will rely on pre-conceived notions of healthy diets (i.e. the old pyramid) rather than take the time to learn something new. I’d like to see more emphasis on the “Healthy Diet” as described at the top of this post. (It took me a good while to find that description buried within the site. Why is it not at the top of the front page?)
Comments
58 responses to “The New Food Pyramid”
I wonder if the absence of differentiation between fish and red meat is a result of lobbying … I can’t imagine that the meat lobbyists would be thrilled to see their products called out as less healthy than fish/nuts/etc.
Here you will find articles penis about serious penis enlargement products and much more like penis conditions, erection, sexual health, sexuality, jelqing, penis enlargement pills. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
Here you will find articles penis about serious penis enlargement products and much more like penis conditions, erection, sexual health, sexuality, jelqing, penis enlargement pills. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
penis enlargemet pills for a better sexual life
If you are suffering from many physical problems like diabetes, heart disease, and your sexual life is at stake due to ED, it is time to buy levitra, the best treatment for erectile dysfunction.
If you are looking for any drug to combat obesity or any information even remotely connected to obesity then xenical is the ideal medicine for you abundantly available at the destination http://www.xenicalsplendor.com
From an extensive first hand information on cialis to its superb efficacy against male impotency, everything is available at the website http://www.buy-cialis-online-now.com
jonny
Penis enlargement pills, penis enlargement exercises, natural penis enlargement techniques, penis enlargement information, jelq, health, products, all of stuff to make your life better. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
Penis enlargement pills, penis enlargement exercises, natural penis enlargement techniques, penis enlargement information, jelq, health, products, all of stuff to make your life better. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
When you wish to go for fast and result oriented weight loss, you can buy adipex, the best diet pill available on the internet with which you can get quick weight loss benefits.
What brings a woman to experience orgasms? Why we get it right? We try everything: oral sex, toys, edible lubes, and new sexual positions just to make a woman orgasm. However, it’s sad to say that as many as 46% of women suffer from sexual unsatisfaction. Does this mean men aren’t doing what it takes?
The truth is, most men haven’t tried what works. While sexual positions might guarantee deeper penetration or even hitting the G-spot with a Lesbian Strap On, it doesn’t guarantee your woman an orgasm.
While there is no denying the sex appeal of satin and lace, bondage bustiers and corsets come is smooth PVC, latex and skin conforming leather. You can tighten these lovely BDSM Toys onto your body as snugly as you desire; a great way to trim your waist. In fact, corset wearing has developed into a full-fledged lifestyle culture; gothic punk that stretches bondage corset design to give you new ways to reach a climax.
What if you there was something that could?….my “secret tool” works to help women achieve easier orgasms, more intense orgasms and even multiple orgasms! Using my “secret tool” with new sexual positions could be what men have been missing out on all along!
Finally you won’t have to worry about falling short. Why go halfway in pleasing your woman? Sex positions alone just don’t work! Add to these new Gay Sex Toy Storesexual positions and give her the greatest orgasm of her life.
teen girl
teen porn videos
teeny bopper
The most effective anti-anxiety pill xanax can take your worries and fears away and give your peace of mind back. Do not wait to buy Xanax and zero down your anxiety.
twisty
If you wish to quit smoking, we welcome you to Chantixhome where you can learn all the tricks of quit smoking and chantix, the best anti-smoking drug and even buy Chantix.
Gina Ryder
porn reality
celebs naked
sex dvd
porn dvd
adult dvd
jenna jameson
Briana Banks
Tera Patrick
Aria Giovanni
tinys black adventure
charmane star movies
lesbian pussy squirt
porn dvd
porn dvd
Jenna Haze
porn rental
xxx dvd
xxx dvd
Briana Banks
adult dvd
adult film
porn movies
jesse jane video
xxx dvd
Top 3 Penis Enlargement Pills. We will tell you about 3 brands of penis enlargement pills.
Hoodia effortlessly reduce their caloric intake by 7000 calories each week. This translates to an average weight loss of 2 lbs per week. Visit: http://www.healthshop.tv
Top 3 penis enlargement pills
Penis enlargement reviews, penis enlargement health, top 3 penis enlargement pills, penis enlargement power and much more. Visit: http://www.enlargements-penis.com
hoodia
Penis enlargement reviews, penis enlargement health, top 3 penis enlargement pills, penis enlargement power and much more. Visit: http://www.enlargements-penis.com
Penis enlargement reviews, penis enlargement health, top 3 penis enlargement pills, penis enlargement power and much more. Visit: http://www.enlargements-penis.com
Here you will find articles penis about serious penis enlargement products and much more like penis conditions, erection, sexual health, sexuality, jelqing, penis enlargement pills. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
Here you will find articles penis about serious penis enlargement products and much more like penis conditions, erection, sexual health, sexuality, jelqing, penis enlargement pills. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
Here you will find articles penis about serious penis enlargement products and much more like penis conditions, erection, sexual health, sexuality, jelqing, penis enlargement pills. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com
Weight Loss Reviews. Hoodia effortlessly reduce their caloric intake by 7000 calories each week. Visit: http://www.healthshop.tv
Weight Loss Reviews. Hoodia effortlessly reduce their caloric intake by 7000 calories each week. Visit: http://www.healthshop.tv
Here you will find articles penis about serious penis enlargement products and much more like penis conditions, erection, sexual health, sexuality, jelqing, penis enlargement pills. Visit: http://www.sinepenis.com