EVOLUTION OF U.S.A. FOOD GROUPS RECCOMENDATIONS

Physicians for Responsible Medicine’s Power Plate is more relevant to Vegans than the USDA’s “My Plate”. Learn more about this at:  http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/pplate/power-plate

          American Nutrition has been gradually evolving since the USDA first introduced its “FOUR FOOD GROUPS” box in 1956.

          In 1992, the USDA introduced its Food Pyramid; with a cross-section of its 6 “rooms” showing the “Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta” group at its broadest base, recommending 6-11 servings daily. The next level was divided into 3-5 servings of veggies and 2-4 servings of fruit daily. The third level up consisted of 2-3 servings of milk, yogurt or cheese, plus 2-5 servings of meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. At the top was “Fats, Oils & Sweets”, with the admonition to “use sparingly”.

          In 2005, “MY PYRAMID, the “New Food Pyramid” was introduced, with the hope that this visual would be easier to understand. It was divided vertically into six categories: grains, veggies, fruits, oils (the skinniest section), milk and finally, meat and beans.

          Later, at MyPlate.Gov, the “FIVE FOOD GROUPS” image was seen as a dinner plate, with the 2 largest categories on the plate as “Veggies” and “Grains”. “Fruit” and “Protein” were also on the plate, in slightly less portions. A fifth category protruded from the upper right of the plate, that of “Dairy”.

          Dr. Andrew Weil’s ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PYRAMID suggests full-color spectrum eating within the plant kingdom, including Omega-3 loaded flax and walnuts, but also includes fish, poultry, meat, eggs and dairy.

         At EatDrinkBetter.com you will find the HEALTHY EATING PLATE, which is less meat oriented, though still not vegan or vegetarian. A similar site is http://www.powered-by-produce.com.

          In 1991, the Physicians for Responsible Medicine produced a model they call “THE NEW FOUR FOOD GROUPS” (shown above), consisting of 3+ servings of fruit and 4+ servings of veggies daily. It also includes 5+ servings of WHOLE grains and 2+ servings of “Legumes, soymilk, tempeh, TVP, peas, refried beans and chickpeas”, as well as sources of calcium and vitamin B12. This one is in agreement with a Vegan diet.

          Although in the past there seemed to be infinite takes on what was the healthiest way to properly fuel our bodies, the road is narrowing. Most of the current research is pointing the way toward a plant-based diet, not only for proper nutrition, but for the “Compassion factor” as well.

           

(NEXT WEEK: Acid/Alkaline Balance)