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New Food Pyramid Revealed


Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled its new food pyramid and healthy-eating campaign titled "Steps to a Healthier You." Based on the latest government dietary food guidelines released in January, the new food pyramid is much different than the original one, which was released in 1992. While the old food pyramid listed very general information on the types of foods to eat within each food group, the new pyramid is specific about which foods are the healthiest and most beneficial. The new model stresses whole grains, lean meats and poultry, low-fat or fat-free dairy, dark green vegetables, and a variety of fruits (with a limit on juices) — all principles consistent with The South Beach Diet™ philosophy. It also advocates the use of oils high in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, and low in saturated fats and suggests avoiding trans fats.

Dr. Agatston, preventive cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet™, believes this new pyramid will begin to point Americans in the right direction. "The old food pyramid lumped all carbs and all fats together and led to the increased consumption of processed carbohydrates, which happened to be low in fat and lack appreciation of the right fats. I feel this was an important contribution to the national epidemic of obesity. I am very happy with the new guidelines, which are consistent with The South Beach Diet™. The new recommendations will have a lot of positive effects."

To learn more about the new food pyramid, log on to http://mypyramid.gov.