The Food Guide Pyramid consists of a set of dietary guidelines managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The pyramid categorizes the foods we eat into categories, such as the milk group, the fruits and vegetables group and the meat group. The USDA contends that by following its dietary guidelines and eating the recommended number of servings from each food group daily, you'll have no trouble meeting your body's nutrition needs. Using the Food Guide Pyramid involves finding out what and how much to eat, then incorporating that information and any required changes into your diet.
Step 1
Consult the Food Guide Pyramid at MyPyramid.gov and click on each segment of the pyramid to learn about the major food groups.
Step 2
Determine the best way to incorporate the pyramid guidelines into your diet. For example, if you don't eat from entire groups on the pyramid, such as meat and dairy, you will need to make adjustments, like adding extra servings of legumes and vegetables, to make sure you get enough protein and other nutrients.
Step 3
Use the My Pyramid Menu Planner to work out a weekly food plan. Planning your food in advance helps you see the bigger picture of your nutrition and make adjustments and improvements.
Step 4
Use the My Pyramid Food Tracker to enter in your daily meals and analyze them for their nutritional content. Adjust your meal plan if you find you're consistently low in one nutrient or high in another.
Step 5
Adjust your thinking so your focus is on the type of food you're eating and less about the amount of food, recommends the Harvard School of Public Health. Make your goal to eat a wide variety of healthy foods instead of obsessing about eating a particular quantity.
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