The food pyramid is one of the most recognized tools in American nutrition education since its introduction in 1991. The ideas of the food pyramid have been preached since the 1970s. The pyramid has faced a lot of criticism and many nutrition scientists are convinced that the food pyramid is linked to the worst epidemic of obesity in American history.

History of the pyramid

The pyramid had its origins in the low fat philosophy; the idea that our diet should be low on foods with fats would be good for them. The study carried out in 1970 told Americans to increase their carbohydrate intake, this turned out to be a bad idea. The study also suggested replacing saturated fats –which are not too bad according to Dr. Hyman– and replace them with polyunsaturated fats from inflammatory vegetable oil. This study gave way to the food pyramid.

The problem with the pyramid

Scientists believe that these guidelines may have led citizens to the incorrect assumption that as long as a diet is low on fat it is healthy. There is another correlation that has been noted by scientists discussing the obesity epidemic; it is that the prevalence of obesity roughly corresponded with the consumption of carbohydrates. Although the food pyramid recommends lower sugar intakes, it seems the science has been ignored that carbohydrates are converted into sugars in the body and the body brings down blood sugar levels by converting it into fat through the hormone insulin.

There are claims that the pyramid is the product of poor health policy backed by lobbyists and bogus science. The pitfalls of the diet is put into perspective further when you compare the pyramid’s guidelines with that of our ancestors who were fit and did not suffer from ailments such as heart diseases and Diabetes, although they still had lower life expectancies then us.

There is confusion and disagreement regarding the pyramid but there is also data available, according to Goldberg and others that the diets of many Americans do not conform to the guidelines provided by the pyramid. This should provide a point to contend for groups against those who bash the pyramid. Nevertheless enough criticism had been levied against the pyramid to cause the United States department of agriculture to reinvestigate the guidelines provided by the food pyramid and whether they are in need of updating.

 

About obesity

The obesity problem is definitely an epidemic, an estimated 60% of Americans are overweight and 25% are obese. According to the WHO the problem is accelerating worldwide so that is some indication that the modern diet and modern lifestyles are a problem. Included in statistics are groups that gain weight even though their food consumption is below normal. While another group cannot control their eating no matter what. Obese individuals have higher risks to a great number of diseases. In conclusion, the food pyramid has been replaced by the MyPlate diet plan since 2010, which has some improvement according to the food pyramid’s critics.

 

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