Nutrition Australia has published a new food pyramid that is pretty good. Vegetables, fruits and legumes have taken over the bottom of the pyramid, their rightful place, with the recommendation of 10-13 servings a day.
Many nutritionists and other health professionals have realized that the old pyramid did not make sense with all the excess weight gain because of diets rich in processed carbs.
A large intake of vegetables has been closely linked to reduced risk of a number of lifestyle diseases, including some types of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. It is also linked to weight control. Legumes and fruits are on the bottom of the pyramid too, where they should be. Legumes provide fiber and energy.
Though the pyramid is focused on vegetables, it has also replaced traditional bread with grains, whole grains, which are energy rich. Therefore, instead of being at the bottom of the pyramid, they have been placed in the next higher category of foods. Reducing carbohydrate-rich foods is now the emphasis.
The top narrowest level of the pyramid emphasizes nuts, seeds and healthy oils. These are recommended to be taken sparingly. Margarine and butter got the boot, while even healthy oils are in the very tip, representing that even they should be very sparingly used. Dairy and meats are also in this top category, which is much better than farther down on the pyramid. Maybe one day, a new pyramid will even reduce them more or eliminate them altogether.
The new pyramid also recommends using herbs and spices, and also water instead of most other drinks, another welcome feature.
The new, healthier pyramid is greatly improved over previous versions, especially for sedentary lifestyles. And though it isn’t perfect, it has eliminated unhealthy fats, sugar and “junk food” entirely, a great advantage. It’s new emphasis on vegetables, fruit and legumes is welcome.
Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet. Ministry of Healing, page 296
The grains, with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, contain all the nutritive properties necessary to make good blood. These elements are not so well or so fully supplied by a flesh diet. Had the use of flesh been essential to health and strength, animal food would have been included in the diet appointed man in the beginning.” Child Guidance, page 384
Nature knows best!
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