Food Pyramid: - Explanation

The food pyramid is a visual representation of how different foods should be consumed in proportion to each other for a healthy and balanced diet. It is a tool that can help people to plan their meals and make informed choices about what to eat.

Handmade & made by me.

The original food pyramid was developed in the 1990s by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote healthy eating habits among Americans. It consisted of six levels, with the largest at the bottom and the smallest at the top, each representing a different food group. The idea was that people should eat more of the foods at the bottom of the pyramid and less of the ones at the top.

1. The bottom level of the pyramid is the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group. This group represents foods that are high in carbohydrates and provide energy for the body. Whole grain varieties of these foods are recommended, as they are high in fiber and other important nutrients.
2. The next level up is the fruit and vegetable group. These foods are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are essential for maintaining good health. It is recommended that people eat a variety of different fruits and vegetables, including dark leafy greens, orange and red fruits and vegetables, and starchy vegetables like potatoes.
3. The third level of the pyramid is the dairy group, which includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. These foods are high in calcium and other important nutrients that are essential for strong bones and teeth.
4. The fourth level of the pyramid is the meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts group. This group provides protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. It is recommended that people choose lean cuts of meat and poultry, and eat fish at least twice a week.
5. The fifth level of the pyramid is the fats, oils, and sweets group. These foods should be consumed in moderation, as they are high in calories and provide little nutritional value.

In 2005, the USDA updated the food pyramid to MyPyramid, which included vertical stripes of different colors to represent the different food groups. The stripes were wider at the bottom, representing the foods that should be consumed in greater amounts, and narrower at the top, representing the foods that should be consumed in smaller amounts.

In 2011, the USDA replaced MyPyramid with MyPlate, which is a simpler visual representation of food groups. MyPlate consists of a plate divided into four sections, with each section representing a different food group: fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. The plate also includes a small circle to represent dairy.

The food pyramid, MyPyramid, and MyPlate are all tools that can help people to plan and balance their meals. By choosing a variety of foods from each food group, people can ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need for good health.