Climbing The New Food Pyramid
By Chris V. Horn

Concerned about couch potato lifestyles and bulging bellies, the government has given the traditional food pyramid a fresh look.

Known as MyPyramid, the new symbol replaces the old triangle-shaped Food Guide Pyramid that was introduced in 1992. Inside MyPyramid, rainbow-colored bands represent different food groups and run vertically from the tip to the base:

Orange for grains Green for vegetables Red for fruits Yellow for oils Blue for milk products Purple for beans and meat

The MyPyramid symbol represents the recommended proportion of foods from each food group. The bands for grains, vegetable, fruits and milk products are wider, indicating that people should eat more from these food groups. Physical activity is a new element in the symbol.

The central message of the new MyPyramid symbol: Take steps now to live a longer, healthier life.

Exercise and interactive food guidance are the keys to the new system. Emphasis is placed on a more individual approach to improving diet and lifestyle. MyPyramid was developed to make Americans aware of the vital health benefits of simple and modest improvements in nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle behavior.

“MyPyramid is about the ability of Americans to personalize their approach when choosing a healthier lifestyle that balances nutrition and exercise,” says Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. “Many Americans can dramatically improve their overall health by making modest improvements to their diets and by incorporating regular physical activity into their daily lives.”

MyPyramid incorporates recommendations from the booklet 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides authoritative advice for people two years of age and older about how proper dietary habits can promote health and reduce the risk of major chronic diseases.

MyPyramid illustrates:

• Personalization, demonstrated by the MyPyramid Web site. To find a personalized recommendation of the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day, go to MyPyramid.gov.

• Gradual improvement, encouraged by the slogan, “Steps to a Healthier You.” It suggests that individuals can benefit from taking small steps to improve their diet and lifestyle each day.

• Physical activity, represented by the steps and the person climbing them, as a reminder of the importance of daily physical activity.

• Variety, symbolized by the six color bands representing the five food groups of MyPyramid and oils. Foods from all groups are needed each day for good health.

• Moderation, represented by the narrowing of each food group from bottom to top. The wider base stands for foods with little or no solid fats, added sugars or caloric sweeteners. These should be selected more often to get the most nutrition from calories consumed.

• Proportionality, shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths suggest how much food a person should choose from each group. The widths are just a general guide, not exact proportions. Check MyPyramid.gov for the amount that is right for you.

The new Web site MyPyramid.gov offers interactive activities that make it easy for individuals to key in their age, gender and physical activity level so that they can get a more personalized recommendation on their daily calorie level based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It also allows individuals to find general food guidance and suggestions for making smart choices from each food group.

MyPyramid.gov features:

• MyPyramid Plan - provides a quick estimate of what and how much food you should eat from the different food groups by entering your age, gender and activity level. For a quick estimate of what and how much you need to eat, enter your age, sex and activity level in the MyPyramid Plan box.

• MyPyramid Tracker - provides more detailed information on your diet quality and physical activity status by comparing a day’s worth of foods eaten with current nutrition guidance. Relevant nutrition and physical activity messages are tailored to your desire to maintain your current weight or to lose weight.

• Inside MyPyramid - provides in-depth information for every food group, including recommended daily amounts in commonly used measures, like cups and ounces, with examples and everyday tips. The section also includes recommendations for choosing healthy oils, discretionary calories and physical activity.

• Start Today - provides tips and resources that include downloadable suggestions on all the food groups and physical activity, and a worksheet to track what you are eating.

Future enhancements to MyPyramid.gov will include features that make it possible for consumers to make specific food choices by group, look at everyday portions of favorite foods and adjust their choices to meet their daily needs.

Back To Articles