New Food Pyramid

There are now two food pyramids. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) changed the food pyramid in spring 2005 because they wanted to convey a better example of how to eat healthier. The pyramid is based on the best available scientific facts concerning links between diet and good health. This new food pyramid addresses flaws in the original USDA food pyramid and offers better up to date information allowing people to better follow guidelines concerning what they should eat.
Below is a picture of both the old and new food pyramids.
 

Understanding the food pyramid: You should center your diet around the foods at the base of the food pyramid, and eat less of the foods at the top. If you're watching your weight then you should concentrate on eating the minimum number of recommended daily servings. If you are looking to gain extra weight, eat the maximum number of servings.
You may also be interested in seeing how many calories you burn during certain activities How to Count and Calculate Calories
 
Picture of the old food pyramid

Old food pyramid picture

How much is one serving? Milk products group: 1 cup about 8 oz. of milk or yogurt 2 slices of cheese, 1/8" thick (1 1/2 oz.) 2 cups of cottage cheese 1 1/2 cups of ice milk, ice cream or frozen yogurt Meat group: 2 oz. to 3 oz. of cooked lean meat, poultry, fish 2 eggs 7 oz. tofu 1 cup cooked legumes or dried beans or peas 4 tablespoons peanut butter 1/2 cup nuts or seeds Vegetables: 1/2 cup cooked vegetables 1/2 cup raw chopped vegetables 1 cup raw leafy vegetables 1/2 to 3/4 cup vegetable juice Fruits: 1 whole medium fruit (about 1 cup) 1/4 cup dried fruit 1/2 cup canned fruit 1/2 to 3/4 cup fruit juice Bread and Cereals: 1 slice bread 1 medium muffin 1/2 hot dog bun or hamburger bun 1/2 bagel or english muffin 4 small crackers 1 tortilla 1 cup cold cereal 1/2 cup cooked cereal 1/2 cup rice 1/2 cup pasta

 

How many servings of each per day should you eat?
Foods	Women - Children - Elderly	Teenage girls - Active Females - Males	Teenage boys - Active Males
Calorie level	Aprox. 1,600	Aprox. 2,200	Aprox. 2,800
MILK Group Products	2 to 4	2 to 4	2 to 4
MEAT Group	2	2	3
VEGETABLE Group	3	4	5
FRUIT Group	2	3	4
BREAD and Cereals	6	9	11
Total Fat in grams	36 to 53	49 to 73	62 to 93

HOW DO I POSSIBLY EAT ALL THOSE FRUITS & VEGETABLES ? 

 

Picture of the new food pyramid

The New Food Pyramid is a tool to educate people to eat a more balanced diet from a greater variety of food portions without counting calories. The USDA has now expanded the four food groups to six groups and expanded the number of servings to meet the calorie needs of most people.