Who Built the Pyramid?

by WiredBerries Editors — May 26, 2008

Much debate has focused on the so-called Food Guide Pyramid developed by the U.S. government. For an alternative perspective, check out the Healthy Eating Pyramid offered by the Harvard School of Public Health's Nutrition Source Web site. The site also offers 5 quick tips to healthy living:

1. Start with exercise. A healthy diet is built on a base of regular exercise, which keeps calories in balance and weight in check.
2. Focus on food, not grams. The Healthy Eating Pyramid doesn't worry about specific servings or grams of food, so neither should you. It's a simple, general guide to how you should eat when you eat.
3. Go with plants. Eating a plant-based diet is healthiest. Choose plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, like olive and canola oil.
4. Cut way back on American staples. Red meat, refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, and salty snacks are part of American culture, but they're also really unhealthy. Go for a plant-based diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. And if you eat meat, fish and poultry are the best choices.
5. Take a multivitamin, and maybe have a drink. Taking a multivitamin can be a good nutrition insurance policy. Moderate drinking for many people can have real health benefits, but it's not for everyone. Those who don't drink shouldn't feel that they need to start. For more information, read "Alcohol: Balancing Risks and Benefits."

Sound common sensical? Maybe living healthy shouldn't be complicated!