man too busy to take
care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."
wrong with this picture?
Food Guide Pyramid has come under some harsh criticism in recent years
by many scientists, nutritionists and medical researchers. They say
it is outdated, gives misinformation, and at worst, can lead to obesity
and health problems. How can this be? What is so wrong with this once
highly-acclaimed food pyramid?
of the USDA's Pyramid
According to Harvard scientist
Dr. Walter Willett, the food pyramid is not up-to-date with current nutritional
research. He states six faults of the food pyramid that are misleading
American people, and adding to the growing epidemic of obesity.
1.All fats are bad. NOT TRUE! Only
certain fats are bad for you (saturated and trans fats), while others
(monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats) provide many benefits to your
heart. Some of these good fats are found in nuts, fish, olive oil and
2. All complex carbohydrates are good. NOT
TRUE! The food pyramid recommends six to eleven servings of carbohydrates
a day, which is way too much. It also doesn't differentiate between the
two kinds of carbohydrates: simple carbohydrates (sugars) and complex
carbohydrates (starches). The majority of a person's carbohydrate intake
should come from whole grains (complex carbs), which will make you feel
fuller longer and give you a lot of fiber as well. Stay away from refined
carbohydrates, which are things like cookies, crackers and chips. If you
eat those, eat them in moderation.
3. Protein is protein. NOT TRUE!
Protein should be a key component of your diet. But some sources of protein
are better for you than others. For example red meat (steaks) may have
a good amount of protein, but they also are high in cholesterol and saturated
fat, which is not good for your heart! Fish, chicken, turkey and pork
are lower in saturated fat, and have just as much protein. Even beans
and nuts are great sources of protein that people wouldn't necessarily
4. Dairy products are essential. NOT
TRUE! Dr. Willett says that despite all the commercials advertising
protection against osteoporosis, there really isn't a calcium emergency
in America. Our country gets more calcium than any other country. In reality,
he says, there are even studies that suggest that drinking/eating a lot
of dairy sources can possibly increase a man's chance of getting prostate
cancer or a woman getting ovarian cancer. But, you still need some calcium
in your diet, and you don't have to get it from milk or yogurt. Spinach,
tofu, orange juice and broccoli have calcium and extra nutrients. Or,
you can take a calcium supplement, which may be cheaper and lower in calories
than dairy products.
5. Eat your potatoes. NOT TRUE! Potatoes
are starches, not vegetables! A baked potato increases blood sugar levels
and insulin faster and to higher levels than an equal amount of calories
from pure table sugar. And french fries are even worse. So, if you are
going to eat potatoes, eat them in moderation.
6. No guidance on weight, exercise, alcohol, and
vitamins. While the food pyramid suggests how to plan a healthy
diet, it doesn't mention four other key parts of maintaining a healthy
body: the importance of not gaining weight, the necessity of daily exercise,
the potential health benefits of a daily alcoholic drink, and what you
can gain by taking a daily multivitamin.
Home | History
| Problems | New Diets | Sources
| About the author