As you might know, Michelle Obama, greatly concerned with childhood obesity (and rightly so), has recently revised the food pyramid. Personally, I thought the original food pyramid was pretty easy to understand, but a few years ago, they decided to update it.
The older version looked like this:
I thought that made a lot of sense and was pretty simple to follow. However, I don’t make the rules, I just play with them. So, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) changed the food pyramid in spring 2005 because they wanted to convey a better example of how to eat healthier. The “new and improved” (?) pyramid was based on the best available scientific facts concerning links between diet and good health and addressed flaws in the original food pyramid. The intent was laudable. The results? You decide:
In my humble opinion, it’s a mess. But, maybe that’s just me.
So fast forward to last week when Mrs. Obama decides to change it to make it easier for children (and those of us who are wrinkled children) to understand. The whole “pyramid” concept is dropped in favor of a plate, which makes sense.
Here’s the latest:
Actually, I think it’s simple and easy to understand. It also looks quite contemporary.
There’s just one problem.
It doesn’t address real life. I mean, after a stress-filled, running-all-over town kind of day, are you really going to come home to an exciting meal where the main components are Kale and Bulgar? I don’t think so. So, with that in mind, I proudly announce the “choose my plate” model for stressful days.
Eat up!
What if I’m lactose intolerant? What do I replace milk with?
Hi Larry,
First the serious reply, the reason diary is included is basically for calcium. You can get a calcium supplement instead or eat other foods that are high in calcium. Here’s a quick list I found on line but I cannot vouch for it’s accuracy.
As for my “fake” plate, no calcium required – just double up on the beer! (Just kidding of course.)
Thanks for reading – and thanks for commenting. Please stay in touch.
Hi Larry,
Just to supplement what Scott said…Basically the milk is thrown in there because the USDA has big dairy lobbyists. Dairy is a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D, but you can get more from other sources (mostly vegetables such as spinach and other leafy greens). There is nothing wrong with dairy (unless you are lactose intolerant), but it isn’t necessary for our daily nutrition intake.
Thanks for responding guys. However, as a science teacher, I’m still trying to validate the supplement given that we get calcium and vitamin D from the other components (dark green vegetables etc.). Also, this is the Caribbean where we get a lot of sunlight so there is no lack of vitamin D. Please comment.
Hi Larry
First of all, thanks so much for staying engaged. I appreciate it.
As for the calcium, my doctor told me a few years ago, that due to the campaign to educate people about the dangers of skin cancer due to increased exposure to the sun, more and more people are not getting enough Vitamin D. It’s kind of a good news/bad news sort of thing. We’re fighting skin cancer well, but we’re causing a deficiency in Vitamin D, necessary for the absorption of calcium. Therefore the average person is calcium-deficient.
Having said that, there is no “average person,” each of us is actually a “specific person” and needs to adjust (or not) his or her lifestyle based on his or her specific circumstances. If you are getting enough vitamin D and calcium (my doctor said I was not), than nothing need be done.
I’m not a doctor so I cannot (nor would I) make specific recommendations to you, certainly not knowing anything more than you name, location, and (assumed) gender. If you have concerns about calcium or vitamin D, get tested. If not, good on you.
Again, thanks for being engaged in ThisTimeIMeanIt.com You honor us by your involvement and I am grateful.