THE FOOD PYRAMID AND OBESITY
Now, the last thing I could ever be called is a “conspiracy theorist” but you might think otherwise after reading what I have to say about the USDA Food Pyramid. I’m certainly not trying to turn this diet into a political debate, but the fact is, the USDA plays an important roll in the economy of our country. And what goes into the food pyramid will, in turn, dictate how much money we spend on certain food products.
Take a look at the USDA Food Pyramid that has shaped the way most American eat over the past few decades. As you can see, our own government recommends we get over 2/3 of our daily nutrition from carbohydrate laden foods (bread, rice, pasta, fruits and vegetables) and only about 20% of our food from protein sources—the primary nutrient that keeps us alive! It’s no wonder that nearly 50% of the US population is considered to be overweight!
I think the Harvard School of Public Health said it best in their famed article, What Should You Really Eat?
Here’s an interesting excerpt:
In the children’s book Who Built the Pyramid? different people take credit for building the once-grand pyramid of Senwosret. King Senwosret, of course, claims the honor. But so does his architect, the quarry master, the stonecutters, slaves, and the boys who carried water to the workers.
The USDA’s MyPyramid also had many builders. Some are obvious—USDA scientists, nutrition experts, staff members, and consultants. Others aren’t. Intense lobbying efforts from a variety of food industries also helped shape the pyramid.
According to federal regulations, the panel that writes the dietary guidelines must include nutrition experts who are leaders in pediatrics, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and public health. Selecting the panelists is no easy task, and is subject to intense lobbying from organizations such as the National Dairy Council, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Soft Drink Association, American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Wheat Foods Council.