2005 Year in Review

Unraveling the Mysteries of the New Food-Guide Pyramids

If the new USDA food-guide pyramids (found at Pyramid) seem as inscrutable as the Sphinx’s smile, don’t despair. Universities of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educators are well equipped to help you make sense of the government’s new guidelines for healthier eating.

“The beauty of this is that individuals will now be able to tailor their own diet plans to their gender, age, and activity level,” said Robin Orr, who heads University of Illinois Extension’s nutrition and wellness team. “When you enter this information, you’ll find out how many calories you should be consuming daily and how many servings of certain foods you should be eating.”

The website that explains the pyramids contains an extraordinary amount of information that consumers can use to improve their diets and their health. “The thing to remember,” said Orr, “is that there may be 12 pyramids, but there’s only one that’s right for you. Once you’ve found that, suddenly everything gets easier.”

Basically, the message, according to Orr, is: - Eat more fruits and vegetables – 4½ cups or nine servings. Choose fruit over fruit juice.
- Eat whole grains.
- Eat lean meats.
- Drink low-fat milk and eat low-fat dairy products.

The website also emphasizes gradual improvement in dietary habits, physical activity, variety and moderation when choosing foods, and paying attention to serving size, which Orr said is almost always ½ cup for fruits, vegetables, and grains.

“We’re excited about going through these new guidelines with you and helping you make changes that will make you healthier,” Orr said.

Consumers who have questions should contact their local Extension office for help in sorting through the advice and finding what’s right for them.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
May 4, 2005