One thing I have learned through the years is that the USDA has done a GREAT job on ingraining the food guide pyramid into the heads of Americans. From schools, to doctors offices, to gyms, to restaurants, and books/magazine ads its easy to spot anywhere. This has become the basis of our national nutrition policy and the guidance for government licensed “registered dietitians” over the years. I can picture the pyramid now with a huge portion of grains along the bottom as the most important food group (with a whopping 6-12 servings per day!!! YIKES!!!).
In 2011 the USDA replaced the pyramid with Myplate in hopes that a new look and model (in the midst of the obesity epidemic) would remind consumers the “best” way to eat. But there was one problem…The USDA did NOT do much to change the recommendations of daily food choices. The obesity epidemic has continued and is rising along with a ton of other chronic diet related health conditions. So whats the problem?
The problem stems from these exact misguided recommendations! The idea that the foundation of a healthy diet should come from grains is CRAZY! The food pyramid was originally designed by scientist Luise Light, MS, Ed.D with very minimal grains along with a balanced array of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. The Food Pyramid that was designed by Light and her team was very different from the one that was eventually released to the public.
To make a LOOOONG story short there were some changes made and at the requests of the processed food industry -crackers, cereal, bread, pasta and baked goods were moved to the base of the Pyramid where they were to make up the bulk of the American diet.
It all comes down to the almighty dollar $$$$. These changes had nothing to do with improving nutrition and everything to do with improving the profits of the food industry PUTTING OUR HEALTH AND ALL OF AMERICA’S HEALTH AT STAKE. Frustrating to say the least!! The Food Pyramid and My Plate are NOT ideal food guides but nothing more than a thinly disguised marketing scheme for major food companies to push packaged , high-profit, whole grain foods.
Schools, doctors, even dietitians are are all still preaching the benefits of these failed diet recommendations. AMERICA IS GETTING FATTER AND SICKER…why??
The USDA My Plate ignores nutrient rich naturally occurring proteins and fats while recommending that at least 50% of your diet consist of whole grains.
We have got to understand that the body processes breads, cereals and starchy foods just like sugar. Every time you eat grains your are robbing your body of its fat burning capabilities. The body will always burn sugar if it is present before burning fat. Every time you eat processed grains you are sabotaging your fat burning metabolism. Quit grains and your body can tap into fat stores and burn those for fat and energy!
Don’t get confused that we don’t need carbohydrates. Yes we need carbohydrates but not from grains,whole grains,or whatever grains!!! The carbohydrates our bodies need are the ones that come from fruits and veggies. Think squash, sweet potato, and bananas!
TAKE HOME here is trust God and mother nature and JUST EAT REAL FOOD!
Forget that silly pyramid or plate and stick to FRUITS,VEGGIES,HEALTHY FATS,CLEAN PROTEIN,WATER and your body and waistline with thank you.
Health is wealth!
Be Well,
Susie R.