After much debate, our government has revised the food pyramid. There
were definite nutritional flaws in the old one and, unfortunately, the
revised pyramid isn't much better.
Like the previous version, they have again put grains at the base.
To make matters worse, they suggest that fifty percent of these grains
should come from breads, pastas and breakfast cereals.
The new version mentions nothing about about the dangers of sugar.
Even the so-called "healthy cereals" have about 38% sugar! They also
fail to mention the dangers of drinking sodas and other high sugar
drinks. Sodas cause your blood sugar to rise instantly, creating an
undesirable insulin response.
The new food pyramid, just like the old one, will likely make you
gain weight and even increase your chance of incurring a chronic
disease. Part of the problem lies in their placement of the 50%
carbohydrates at the base of the pyramid. They simply don't provide
enough information about what is or is not a healthy carbohydrate.
Further, the information is geared for the healthy adult. If you
suffer from a degenerative illness such as heart disease, cancer or
diabetes the food pyramid is not for you.
The basis for creating an appropriate nutrition plan should
involve rebalancing the natural proportions of the three
macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fats. Here's an equation to
remember:
HIGHER PROTEIN + LOWER CARBOHYDRATES + HEALTHY FATS + REGULAR EXERCISE = OPTIMAL HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS
The above formula will keep you healthier and at a desirable weight.
When choosing carbohydrates, the majority should come from fruits
and vegetables not grains. Fruits and vegetables are full of healthy
phytonutrients plus they contain lot's of fiber. Choose whole grains
only after you have eaten the fruits and vegetables. Your carbohydrate
consumption will naturally lower this way. You will avoid exposing your
system to changes in insulin which is a fat storage hormone and affects
the immune system.
You should increase your protein and eat a small serving with
every meal. It is suggested you eat every 2-3 hours to keep insulin
levels normal. Choose fish, lean meats, eggs, low fat dairy, beans and
nuts. Protein also helps keep you satiated.
Fats have a bad name in nutrition and they shouldn't. They are a
part of all cellular processes. One type, saturated fat, is found in
animal products. If you are eating meats you should get plenty of
saturated fats. The other is polyunsaturated fats. Here is where your
choices can make a difference. First avoid corn oil and all
hydrogenated oils. Choose unprocessed vegetable fats like avocados,
nuts and olive oil. Most important are the omega 3's which come from
cold water fish like salmon. If you're not a fish eater get a fish oil
supplement. The omega 3's help reduce heart disease, boost the immune
system, regulate blood sugar, promote weight loss, relieve depression
and more.
AS you can see the new food pyramid hasn't changed much from the
old one. Further, it is so general in it's layout, it leaves many
questions unanswered.
If you want to get the most out of your nutritional plan you'll need to
look further than the newest version of the food pyramid.
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