KeralaClick.com | Conjugated Linoleic Acid |

The New Food Pyramid: Another Attempt At Providing Easy Answers




The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992, just experienced a major overhaul. Why? Perhaps proper education about nutrition isn't as easy as picking out food from a colorful chart. Last month, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that childhood obesity was causing a retreat in average lifespan. That report seems to only cover part of the picture as chronic disease, such as cardiac dysfunction and Type II Diabetes have been on a steady rise in recent years. Because many people seem to be unwilling to learn how to make better lifestyle choices, it is only the toxic pharmaceutical drugs that seem to be extending the lives of these people.

Agriculture secretary Mike Johanns described the old food pyramid as being "quite familiar" to most Americans, "but few Americans follow the recommendations." The solution, found at www.mypyramid.gov, is apparently more colors and to make the bands travel downwards instead of horizontally. Yes, that counts as a solution where french fries and catsup count as two servings of vegetables in the school lunch program.

Well, some progress is better than no progress. On a positive note, the new dietary guidelines do recommend daily physical activity. If even a few people get out of their chairs because their government tells them too, these changes, and the expense of the marketing for all of this will be well-worth our tax dollars.

What is left out of these dietary guidelines is any source of education on timing of food intake. For example, how many of you are late-night eaters? Perhaps you have a bowl of cereal before bed? What do the cells do with all the extra starch and glucose as you sleep? The answer is they store it in the fat cells. If you think of a caveman, or woodland creature, bulking up before hibernation, you get the picture.

A better diet doesn't have to be entirely about sacrifice. It's more about better decisions. I'm not saying to stop eating ice cream. Consider some Wheat Germ or Grape Nuts as a toping. Both are excellent sources of dietary fiber and essential nutrients like Vitamin E, folate (folic acid), phosphorous, thiamin, zinc and magnesium. You get to have a tasty snack and sneak some nutrition through the teeth. Just don't eat it as a midnight snack!

Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach, member of the American International Association of Nutritional Education (AIANE) and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition. For additional information, please visit http://www.glycoboy.com or http://www.glycowellness.com or email Dave at [email protected]


MORE RESOURCES:

ABC News

Walmart 'Great for You' Healthy Labels: Nutrition Experts Say 'Devil in the ...
ABC News
As Walmart announced plans today to label certain foods with a new green "Great for You" label, some diet and nutrition experts told ABC News they applauded the move, while others questioned whether a company that sells food could set objective ...
Walmart to Label Healthy FoodsNew York Times
'Great For You' Icon Launched By WalmartMedical News Today
Walmart joins stores labeling healthier food selectionsBoston Herald
Packaging Digest -MarketWatch (press release)
all 388 news articles »


Orange juice is good for a cold and more nutrition myths
Kansas City Star
Oranges and orange juice are not very similar when it comes to nutrition oranges are reasonably healthy, while orange juice is a lot more like soda than it is like an orange. Just like a soda, OJ is very, very high in the sugar fructose.

and more »


USA TODAY

Practical Nutrition: A bit of dark chocolate is a good thing, but go for 70 ...
Richmond Times Dispatch
Dove dark chocolate has nutrition claims similar to the kisses on some of their products. The small boxes of Godiva chocolates did not list any claims. For heart-health benefits, enjoy a 1-ounce portion of a high-percentage cacao dark chocolate three ...
Good chocolate says love in many waysCincinnati.com
Chocolate good on Valentine's gift listMonroe News Star
Chocolate is a valentine for heart and cholesterolDenver Post

all 163 news articles »


The Nutrition Facts Label: Your Tool for a Healthy Heart
PR Newswire (press release)
It's called the Nutrition Facts Label, and you can find it on all packaged foods and beverages. The Nutrition Facts Label lets you know exactly what you're eating and helps you track the various nutrients you are getting from the foods you eat.

and more »


The Nutrition Facts Label: Your Tool for a Healthy Heart
HispanicBusiness.com (press release)
It's called the Nutrition Facts Label, and you can find it on all packaged foods and beverages. The Nutrition Facts Label lets you know exactly what you're eating and helps you track the various nutrients you are getting from the foods you eat.



School nutrition: Kid's right to choose
Youngstown Vindicator
By David R. JUST AND BRIAN WANSINK Last fall, Los Angeles took a hard line on school nutrition. In an attempt to mold better eating habits in kids, the Los Angeles Unified School District eliminated flavored milk, chicken nuggets and other longtime ...

and more »


Senior nutrition
Superior Telegram
Senior Connections offers hot, nutritious meals Monday-Friday for people 60 or older, or with disabilities. Senior Connections offers hot, nutritious meals Monday-Friday for people 60 or older, or with disabilities. A contribution of $3.50 per meal is ...

and more »


FirstFitness Nutrition Announces XanoLean™ - Major Breakthrough in Appetite ...
PR Newswire (press release)
7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstFitness Nutrition, which is in the process of merging with Medical Alarm Concepts Holding, Inc. (OTCQB: MDHI.PK), today announces XanoLean™, the world's first nutraceutical formula to solve the problem of food addiction ...

and more »


Barbara Quinn: Nutrition for your pregnant daughter
Monterey County Herald
And now that I'm pregnant, I have your nutrition advice on speed dial." (Whatever that means.) Poor thing. Her first three months of pregnancy were rough. Nothing stayed down and it wasn't so pleasant when it came back up. Lots of friends offered their ...

and more »


Xtri.com

Nutrition Matters, a re-post
Xtri.com
Steve paid close attention to his performance, including nutrition, which goes to show that there really are no guarantees in life. Life is a risk and there are no more opportunities for risk after it. Nutrition has always been a hot topic for ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006