2008 Woodie Awards
Scaling a New Pyramid
Jami Furo
Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: Life & Times
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Many are familiar with the new food pyramid that the United States Department of Agriculture recently created. It contains five vertical stripes (grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat and beans) with a figure running up stairs on the left-hand side to represent the importance of physical activity.
However, the University of Michigan has created a food pyramid that puts its emphasis on the healing properties of food, as well as caloric and fat contents.
The pyramid, for the most part, is based on the strategies of eating more plants, less meat, more variety, and healthier fats. It is made up of 12 blocks, as opposed to the five that are so familiar to many Americans. The base of the pyramid is water. This represents its importance in a diet and the amount that people should be drinking.
Next are five levels of foods that should be eaten daily. These groups are fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, seasonings, and healthy fats. These healthy fats include eggs, dairy products, and olive oil. The next two tiers are seafood and lean meat. These foods are to be eaten weekly.
Chocolate, alcohol, and tea form the next group. They are known as "accompaniments" and are to be eaten in moderation. When they are eaten in that amount, they have certain health benefits. The top of the pyramid is an empty triangle. These are for foods that are indulgences and to be a treat only occasionally.
The new pyramid also comes with an emphasis on buying organic foods whenever possible. Free-range meat is suggested, and foods containing nitrites and hormones should be avoided, according to this system.
The Healing Foods Pyramid, as it has come to be called, puts an overall emphasis on "mindful eating." The developers say that research shows the importance of taking the time to enjoy food. When doing so, it maintains a healthy attitude toward food. Instead of eating whatever food is around, whenever it is around and eating it while walking, working, or driving, people should sit down and enjoy their food.
However, the University of Michigan has created a food pyramid that puts its emphasis on the healing properties of food, as well as caloric and fat contents.
The pyramid, for the most part, is based on the strategies of eating more plants, less meat, more variety, and healthier fats. It is made up of 12 blocks, as opposed to the five that are so familiar to many Americans. The base of the pyramid is water. This represents its importance in a diet and the amount that people should be drinking.
Next are five levels of foods that should be eaten daily. These groups are fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, seasonings, and healthy fats. These healthy fats include eggs, dairy products, and olive oil. The next two tiers are seafood and lean meat. These foods are to be eaten weekly.
Chocolate, alcohol, and tea form the next group. They are known as "accompaniments" and are to be eaten in moderation. When they are eaten in that amount, they have certain health benefits. The top of the pyramid is an empty triangle. These are for foods that are indulgences and to be a treat only occasionally.
The new pyramid also comes with an emphasis on buying organic foods whenever possible. Free-range meat is suggested, and foods containing nitrites and hormones should be avoided, according to this system.
The Healing Foods Pyramid, as it has come to be called, puts an overall emphasis on "mindful eating." The developers say that research shows the importance of taking the time to enjoy food. When doing so, it maintains a healthy attitude toward food. Instead of eating whatever food is around, whenever it is around and eating it while walking, working, or driving, people should sit down and enjoy their food.