exploring the food guide pyramid

Although the traditional Food Guide Pyramid that parents remember has recently been changed to "MyPlate", information on the original Food Pyramid can still be helpful for parents and kids. The Food Pyramid guidelines were developed to inform consumers about the importance of a proper, balanced diet and exercise, and how the two combined can promote better health and potentially reduce the risk of developing obesity related illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes--conditions that are directly related to poor nutrition.

The last Food Pyramid developed by the USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services included colored bands that are associated to one of six specific food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, nuts & oils, and protein (fish, poultry, meat, and beans). The relative width of each colored band illustrates how much of that food group should be consumed in a day--the wider the band, the more you're allowed to eat.

This pyramid was also organized to better emphasize how choices should be made. At the wide base of the pyramid you'll find healthier foods like grains and vegetables--foods with comparatively less fat and sugar--which should be eaten more frequently throughout the day, while higher fat foods like oils and nuts are closer to the narrower top, indicating that they should be eaten sparingly throughout the day.

Find the original Food Pyramid here!