The food pyramid is one way of understanding different food groups and how they stand in terms of nutritional value.
The U.S has made use of visuals to promote dietary guidelines in the general population. From 1992, the ‘Food Guide Pyramid’ was the icon for a healthy diet. ‘MyPyramid’ came in 2005 and ‘My Plate’ in 2011 as nutrition guides from USDA. Though each addresses many criticisms of the previous icon, they all have limitations.
As the icons for a balanced meal keep improving, let’s find out what limitations each had that required them to be replaced.
Food Guide Pyramid
The emphasis was on designing something simple for the public as a guide to a healthy diet. The pyramid was divided into five food groups with a serving range for each. Here’s how they were categorized below:
· The bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group – 6-11 servings
· The vegetable group – 3-5 servings
· The fruit group – 2-3 servings
· The milk, yogurt, and cheese group – 2-3servings
· The meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts – 2-3 servings
· The top had fats, oil, and sweets
The pyramid was supposed to be for everyone, yet the most prominent problem people had understood what differentiated servings and portions.
· A serving is a “measured amount of food.” For example, a spoon of sugar or a cup of milk.
· A portion refers to the amount of food one eats in a meal or for a snack. This means that a portion can have two or three servings of bread in it.
People mistakenly assumed that what they ate in one meal was one serving. It is easy to understand how this could have led to overeating.
The food groups’ hierarchy caused more confusion, making people wonder if the top ones were more important than the bottom ones. The pyramid also didn’t recommend whole grains over refined grains, skimmed milk over sweetened yogurt, or even the types of carbs to consume.
MyPyramid
MyPyramid addressed some limitations of the previous icon. It had a more personalized approach and included physical activity. There was no hierarchy, and instead, color beams of different widths were used to represent the five food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat and beans. The sixth group of oil was shown with a thin line. Serving sizes in ounces were added. Previous misunderstandings were addressed, but it had its drawbacks.
My Plate
Based on the dietary guidelines, My Plate is the latest nutrition guide that addresses the previous limitations. The icon represents a plate divided into four unequal groups: vegetables, grains, fruits, and protein with a circle beside it representing dairy. It recommends portion control and varying the diet with healthier choices. However, one can’t possibly have all the food groups in one meal. Sugar and fat are also not illustrated. Protein is shown as a food group though it is a nutrient.
Which One?
My Plate has its limitations and is not the perfect icon. It is impossible to make a standardized eating guide in one diagram that suits people of all ages, gender, and body types.
Since it is better than its predecessors, it is a quick start to the nutrition journey. However, learning more is required for a proper nutrition plan.
