Healthy Eating PyramidA Healthy Food PyramidIn 1990 American nutritionists changed the pie-shaped graph into a pyramid to help demonstrate how much food from each group needed to be eaten every day for a nutritionally balanced diet. But if you want to stay healthy, following the American standard food pyramid may not be your best choice. A healthy food pyramid or vegetarian diet pyramid may be a better choice.
Healthy Eating Pyramid: Breads and CerealsThe best way to get a balanced diet is to eat a variety of food each day, which includes six to eleven servings of grains and cereals a day.The foundation of the American food pyramid lists the grains, pasta, and rice group. Grains, breads, and cereals are excellent for our health if they are eaten as whole grain breads, pasta and rice. But the pyramid does not label these foods as whole grains, which can be misleading. If people eat refined grains rather than whole as their largest source of food, they will eventually cause illness. The foundation of the food pyramid should label these grains and cereals as whole grain.
Healthy Eating Pyramid: Fruit and VegetablesThe next level of the American standard pyramid comprises the fruit and vegetable group. There is nothing wrong with this group. Although, it should list the eating of these foods raw or lightly steamed as the best way to receive these foods into the body.A bowl of canned pineapple will not be as good for you as whole pineapple. Applesauce in the can does not provide the vitamins of an apple. Your body needs at least six serving of fruit and veggies a day.
Healthy Eating Pyramid: Dairy and MeatThe next area on the pyramid is the dairy and meat or bean group. It states to eat two or three servings of the dairy group and the meat or bean group in a single day, which is about right.But remember, you can receive vitamin D and calcium from other food sources besides dairy and meat. Many dark green vegetables provide calcium, and nuts and seeds, and even some grains such as millet provide lots of protein. The latter being good protein foods. Eating too many animal fats from red meat is not healthy and should be limited to one or two times a week. Fish and poultry can be eaten every day. Another thing to keep in mind with this food group of the pyramid is that processed and homogenized dairy products are not that good for you. Raw milk, butter, cream and cheeses are the most beneficial to health.
Healthy Eating Pyramid: Fats, Oils, and SweetsThe last tier of the pyramid says to use fats, oils, and sweets sparingly. Animal fats and refined sugars should be eaten sparingly, but healthy fats from olive oil, fish oil, flaxseeds, nuts and seeds are good fats that your body needs every day.The Mediterranean diet is high in olive oil and fish oil and is one of the best diets for good health. With a little tweaking the standard American pyramid diet just might be what the doctor ordered. Source: Health and Healing The Natural Way: EATING FOR GOOD HEALTH - Reader’s Digest.
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