You can use a pyramid diet plan to help you to eat better, according to MayoClinic.com. The pyramid diet provides information on the different food groups and offers guidelines of how much to eat. MyPyramid, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is probably most familiar to you.
History
The U.S. Departmant of Agriculture, or USDA, first developed the Food Guide Pyramid 15 years ago, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The pyramid replaced the food groups and became the symbol of a healthy diet. In 2005, the USDA replaced the Food Guide Pyramid with the more interactive MyPyramid. MyPyramid is the Food Guide Pyramid turned on its side, according to Harvard, and better reflects the relationship between diet and health than the old Food Guide Pyramid.
Function
The MyPyramid food recommendations are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It is designed to help you make smart food choices from each group and get the most nutrition out your calories. It also emphasizes the importance of balancing food and physical activity, according to the USDA.
Features
As an interactive tool, MyPyramid offers a personalized meal pattern based on your age, weight, height, sex and activity level. It provides specific calorie and food recommendations to meet your individual nutrient needs. It also includes information on best food choices for your health and the healthiest ways to prepare them.
Benefits
Following the pyramid diet plan will help you to maintain a healthy weight and prevent the onset of chronic disease, according to the USDA. It is also easy to use and understand. In addition to providing information about a healthy diet, it also offers intake tracking tools to help you implement the plan and stay focused.
Considerations
A good diet is one you can stick with for a lifetime, and the USDA's pyramid diet may not be the right one for you. MayoClinic.com provides examples of other food pyramids that may suit you better. If you enjoy eating more fruits and vegetables, then the Mayo Clinic food pyramid is a good choice, or if you are a vegetarian, the vegetarian food pyramid would be appropriate. If you need to improve your heart health, than the Mediterranean diet food pyramid is a good choice.
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