Dietary Guidelines: The Food Pyramid

Many factors are involved in answering the question "What should I eat?" But one thing is certain - the days of the basic four food groups are long gone. Here are just three of the many reasons for their disappearance.

First, they weren't specific enough.

Second, no distinction was made in the value of nutrients. In other words, all the food groups were considered equally important. An apple was encouraged with the same emphasis as a steak.

Third, the recommendations did not specify preferences within each food group; for example, ice cream appeared to be as helpful as a glass of skim milk.

Enter the Dietary Guidelines for Americans created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the corresponding Food Pyramid. The new recommendations were designed to answer some of the criticisms of the old basic four food groups.

The following are the official U.S. Dietary Guidelines:

• Eat a variety of foods


• Maintain a healthy weight.


• Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol


• Choose a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grains.


• Use sugars only in moderation.


• Use salt and sodium only in moderation.


• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.

The guidelines are accompanied by the Food Pyramid, which graphically illustrates the emphasis each food group should have in our diets. There are now six food groups instead of four. Fats and sugars occupy the smallest space of the Pyramid, since they should be eaten less frequently than other foods.