Health-Hack Dot Com

The USDA has just released a new version of the “Food Pyramid”. This is interesting news for those whose diets are based on this concept. Oddly, the USDA has given up any sense of a “pyramid” aside from the name.

The old Pyramid had a heirarchy with those things you need the least of (by their reckoning, fats) at the top, or “small” end, with the things you need the most of (According to them, grains) at the foundation, or “large” end.

The new construct simply has the categories proportionally sized, stacked next to each other from left-to-right in no obvious order (Grains, Vegetables, Fruit- I see the logic so far -Oils, Milk, Meats and Beans), then jammed into a triangle.

The current philosophy of the USDA diet is this:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts;
• and Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

While many have issues with the preference this diet gives to Carbohydrates, it must be said that if followed, it should improve the health of many US citizens, as most do not get the fruits and vegetables they need while still eating plenty of low-fiber carbs. Other diets may yield even better results, especially for weight-loss.

There is a diet tracker available here.

Thanks to Medgadget for the link.