Food Guide Pyramid - Including Picture of New Food Pyramid

It's important to keep in mind that the recommendations are continually changing and will do such whenever qualified health studies indicate that certain types as well as portions of foods support the body's state of health better than others.

Back in the early 1940's, the USDA recommended seven basic food groups - including one labeled "Butter and Fortified Margarine'. Here are the seven basic groups of that era:

One: Green, Yellow Vegetables
Two: Oranges, Tomatoes, Grapefruit
Three: Potatoes, Other Vegetables, Fruits
Four: Milk and Milk Products
Five: Meat, Poultry, Fish or Eggs
Six: Bread Flour, Cereals
Seven: Butter, Fortified Margarine

Progression or Recession?

Slowly over time, the USDA migrated to the Pyramid version - and of course, now it's that dumbed-down My Plate which we don't like in the least.

It treats consumers like we idiots in our opinion. This is not a leap forward for man and womankind - rather a giant fall back to the caveman era where Og told Og Junior to eat all of the green leaves and other vegetables on his plate.

Then the healthy pyramid was introduced - and in this era, there were Food Groups which were developed with recommended servings therein - something that you won't find in the My Plate version, thus leaving the impression that eating from each group three times per day will satisfy dietary needs - and nothing could be further from the facts.

If you're a little lady, you may only require the minimum of servings listed below - but even three plates per day with servings from each group isn't going to satisfy the Grain Group needs.

PICTURE OF NEW FOOD PYRAMID

What is a serving size based on the Food Pyramid Picture?

The Food Groups

Dairy - Milk, Yogurt & Cheese: 2-3
Vegetables : 3-5
Protein - Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs & Nuts: 2-3
Fruits: 2-4
Grains: Bread, Cereal, Rice & Pasta: 6-11
Fats, Oils & Sweets - Use Sparingly

What is considered a serving size based on the Food Pyramid Picture?

Milk Group 2-3 Servings	Beans & Meat Group 2-3 Servings	Vegetable Group 3-5 Servings	Fruit Group 2-4 Servings	Grain Group 6-11 Servings
Milk: 8 ounces	Meat: 2-3 ounces - about the size of a deck of cards	Raw Leafy Vegetables: 1 cup	Fruit Juice: 3/4 cup	Bread: 1 slice
Natural Cheese: 1 1/2 ounces	Peanut Butter: 2 Tablespoons - about the size of a golf ball	10 French Fries	Fruit, Sliced: 1/2 cup	Cereal, Dry: 1 cup
Yogurt: 8 ounces	Beans: 1 cup	Peas, most vegetables: 1 cup	Fresh Fruit: 1 medium	Pasta: 1/2 cup

Keep in mind that the servings and serving sizes recommended above by the USDA are intended as a pattern. The amount of foods consumed should be based on all of the following:

Age, Current State of Health, Risk Factors

Activity Level Based on Daily Activity

Muscle Mass

Special Needs such as pregnancy and dieting.

There are also other things that you can do to increase the nutritional benefits for each Food Group in the Food Pyramid such as choosing whole grains, wheat over white, natural cheese over cheese foods, lean meats over fatty meats and skim dairy products.

We are indeed what we eat and if we aim to eat those healthy foods set forth in the Food Pyramid Picture above, it increases our chances of a fuller, healthier, longer life.

Food Guide Pyramid - Including Picture of New Food Pyramid

Nutritional Needs, a Work in Progress

Progression or Recession?

PICTURE OF NEW FOOD PYRAMID

What is a serving size based on the Food Pyramid Picture?

What is considered a serving size based on the Food Pyramid Picture?

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