The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992, just experienced a major overhaul. Why? Perhaps proper education about nutrition isn't as easy as picking out food from a colorful chart. Last month, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that childhood obesity was causing a retreat in average lifespan. That report seems to only cover part of the picture as chronic disease, such as cardiac dysfunction and Type II Diabetes have been on a steady rise in recent years. Because many people seem to be unwilling to learn how to make better lifestyle choices, it is only the toxic pharmaceutical drugs that seem to be extending the lives of these people.
Agriculture secretary Mike Johanns described the old food pyramid as being "quite familiar" to most Americans, "but few Americans follow the recommendations." The solution, found at www.mypyramid.gov, is apparently more colors and to make the bands travel downwards instead of horizontally. Yes, that counts as a solution where french fries and catsup count as two servings of vegetables in the school lunch program.
Well, some progress is better than no progress. On a positive note, the new dietary guidelines do recommend daily physical activity. If even a few people get out of their chairs because their government tells them too, these changes, and the expense of the marketing for all of this will be well-worth our tax dollars.
What is left out of these dietary guidelines is any source of education on timing of food intake. For example, how many of you are late-night eaters? Perhaps you have a bowl of cereal before bed? What do the cells do with all the extra starch and glucose as you sleep? The answer is they store it in the fat cells. If you think of a caveman, or woodland creature, bulking up before hibernation, you get the picture.
A better diet doesn't have to be entirely about sacrifice. It's more about better decisions. I'm not saying to stop eating ice cream. Consider some Wheat Germ or Grape Nuts as a toping. Both are excellent sources of dietary fiber and essential nutrients like Vitamin E, folate (folic acid), phosphorous, thiamin, zinc and magnesium. You get to have a tasty snack and sneak some nutrition through the teeth. Just don't eat it as a midnight snack!
Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach, member of the American International Association of Nutritional Education (AIANE) and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition. For additional information, please visit http://www.glycoboy.com or http://www.glycoboy.com or email Dave at http://www.glycoboy.com
recurring maid service Wilmette ..This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the... Read More
The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
The total calories that you should be consuming depend on... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..Recently yet another super-heavyweight Iron Immortal died from a heart... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
What is your brain made ofOver 50% of your brain... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood... Read More
When was the last time you consumed soda? Most likely,... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
"To eat an apple before going to bed will make... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More
People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More
The first place that we cut corners when we are... Read More
Nutrition |