| Remember the old Food Pyramid that we were all | | | | teach us about healthy oils vs. harmful fats!* Finally, and |
| taught in school? You know, the one that told us to eat | | | | most importantly, MyPyramid actually discusses |
| more 'grains and carbohydrates' than anything else? | | | | exercise! FINALLY! The guidelines demonstrate the |
| Last January the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued | | | | difference between moderate and vigorous activity, |
| a new symbol and interactive food guidance system | | | | and provide broad recommendations targeted |
| called "MyPyramid". This picture, which replaces the | | | | towards the average American.-> WHAT WE DON'T |
| Food Guide Pyramid introduced in 1992, is part of an | | | | LIKE ABOUT THE NEW GUIDELINES:* The |
| overall system that emphasizes the need for a more | | | | MyPyramid website (mypyramid.gov) has a section |
| individualized approach to improving diet and lifestyle. | | | | called 'My Pyramid Plan' that estimates BMR (Basal |
| The system embodies the recommendations of the | | | | Metabolic Rate). In other words, this site estimates how |
| 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which advise | | | | many calories we should consume each day. The |
| how proper dietary habits can promote health and | | | | problem is that they (the USDA) use only our age, sex |
| reduce the risk of major chronic diseases for people | | | | and physical activity level to determine our caloric goal. |
| two years of age and older.True fitness experts are | | | | No mention is made of height differences or the |
| not huge fans of 'one size fits all' nutritional programs. | | | | amount of lean muscle mass we have on our frame. |
| As a matter of fact, the reasons most diets fail is that | | | | Lean muscle mass is a HUGE factor in determining |
| they try to fit you (an individual!) into a program | | | | caloric needs, so we were disappointed to see that it's |
| designed for EVERYONE. Honestly, did we ever | | | | not included in these calculations. Broad generalizations |
| believe that one dietary recommendation (the old Food | | | | like this fail to take into account individual differences, |
| Guide Pyramid) was valid for everyone in the | | | | and thus are almost always sure to be inaccurate for |
| USA?This strong aversion to the 'one size fits all' | | | | many of us.* The 'Physical Activity' section of |
| dietary guideline is exactly why we like the new | | | | MyPyramid fails miserably in that it doesn't provide the |
| MyPyramid so much! Take for example this quote | | | | exercise education we need in order to be successful. |
| copied directly from the MyPyramid website: "One size | | | | No mention is made of the differences between |
| doesn't fit all. MyPyramid Plan can help you choose the | | | | aerobic and anaerobic exercise, or the role of |
| foods and amounts that are right for you. For a quick | | | | resistance exercise in a healthy lifestyle.While the new |
| estimate of what and how much you need to eat, | | | | USDA guidelines are certainly MUCH better than the |
| enter your age, sex, and activity level in the | | | | old Food Guide Pyramid, we were still discouraged to |
| MyPyramid Plan box. For a detailed assessment of | | | | see that MyPyramid does not fully address exercise. |
| your food intake and physical activity level, click on | | | | Until we as a nation understand the basic facts about |
| MyPyramid Tracker" (source: mypyramid.gov).-> | | | | exercise, we will continue to struggle with fat and |
| WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THE NEW | | | | weight issues.Take the time to visit mypyramid.gov |
| GUIDELINES:The United States Department of | | | | and browse around for a while. It's worth a look!* |
| Agriculture (USDA) has done a fine job of updating the | | | | Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not |
| Food Guide Pyramid and adding specifics that we find | | | | required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace |
| helpful. For example:* MyPyramid make a distinction | | | | articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are |
| between 'grains' and 'whole grains', which is critical for | | | | properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are |
| life-long health and fitness.* Rather than just suggesting | | | | accompanied by our website link: The information in |
| we 'eat fruits and vegetables' (which may prompt | | | | this article and on this site is for general reference |
| some to drink fruit juice and think they're being healthy!), | | | | purposes only and not intended to address specific |
| MyPyramid encourages the consumption of a broad | | | | medical conditions. This information is not a substitute |
| range of fresh fruits and vegetables while at the same | | | | for professional medical advice or a medical exam. |
| time discouraging fruit juices (which are often lacking in | | | | Prior to participating in any exercise program or |
| nutrition and full of empty calories).* MyPyramid | | | | activity, you should seek the advice of your physician |
| suggests that we consume low-fat dairy products, | | | | or other qualified health professional. No information in |
| rather than just dairy products. Some milk, and most | | | | this article or on should be used to diagnose, treat, cure |
| cheeses, are FULL of saturated fat and may be | | | | or prevent any medical condition.Tracie Johanson is |
| harmful. The new recommendations take this into | | | | the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute |
| account and prompt us to look for healthy dairy | | | | exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health |
| choices.* Just like it does with the dairy category, | | | | and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit for |
| MyPyramid tells us to search out low-fat protein | | | | more information. |
| choices like fish and nuts. The new guidelines even | | | | |