The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Pyramid dietary guidelines were adopted in 1992 and modified by the agency in 2005. The current design includes a pyramid with side steps and five colored bands representing the basic dietary groups. The width of each colored band provides general guidelines for daily menu planning. The new silhouetted figure climbing the pyramid stairs was added "...as a reminder of the importance of daily physical activity," according to the USDA.
Orange Color Band
Grains are the focus of the first color band. Orange represents the required 3 oz. daily of whole grains. This requirement may be met from whole grain pasta, rice, cereal or crackers. Each color category lists suggested food choices and possible preparation methods.
Green Color Band
The large green-colored band represents the vegetables that should be included in your daily diet. Dark green leafy vegetables are highlighted, but other bright colors are also included. The accompanying list of food choices for this category focuses on tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, spinach, romaine lettuce and carrots. Dried beans and peas are part of this good group.
Red Color Band
Red represents the nutritional value of fruits that the USDA recommends you incorporate into your daily diet. While the diet planner makes no distinction between frozen, dried, fresh or canned fruit, it does specifically warn that you limit fruit juices, due to the high calories and added sugar that are present in some juices.
Blue Color Band
The blue band represents "calcium-rich foods" such as dairy products. The focus in this segment is on fat-free and low-fat food selections including cheeses, unsweetened yogurt and milk-based desserts that avoid added sugars, such as fat-free puddings and ice milk.
Yellow Color Band
The yellow color band is a tiny slice of the pyramid but it represents an important dietary element. Yellow represents oils and fats. A small amount of fats are necessary, but these should come from vegetable oils, fish and nuts, according to the USDA.
Purple Color Band
The last and smallest band, purple in color, represents meat and bean foods. The slogan for this segment is "Go Lean on Protein" to encourage adults to select lean and low-fat meats and poultry. Seeds, peas, nuts and fish are also included in this protein-focused category.
Supplemental Features
The new MyPyramid also features an interactive menu planning guide and charts, available as printable PDF files, that allow quick comparisons of diet planning for various calorie menus. Another chart itemizes daily food intake using daily expended energy levels. The USDA offers each of the resources in English and Spanish.
Research
Consumer studies, such as the two-phase study performed in Baltimore, Chicago and Houston in 2002 and 2003 by Dr. Patricia Britten, Jackie Haven, MS, RD, and Carole Davis, MS, RD, have shown that the adult subjects understood the main concepts of the original MyPyramid but were unable to translate the document into daily menu planning. The online food list links and meal preparation suggestions of the new pyramid are an attempt to remedy the inadequate design of the original pyramid.
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