The USDA food pyramid and 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines advocate carbs as the main portion of our diet as they have for years. Many doctors, registered dieticians, and diet authors say that the USDA Food Pyramid is wrong.
Who Designs the USDA Food Pyramid
The USDA food pyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) have been put together by government scientists, consultants, nutrition experts, and lobbyists. Yes, industry lobbyists try to convince our government to promote their products whether or not it is in our best interest.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee (DGAC) works with the USDA National Evidence Library (NEL) [1]. The DGAC uses an evidence-based systematic review of research findings that go into the written report, which then the public has a chance to comment on the committee’s findings. The food industries, companies, and nutritionist will then read the report and make their comments [2].
Some of the industries include:
- Wine Institute
- Sugar Association
- Dow AgroScience
- National Dairy Council
- Snack Food Association
- National Cattleman’s Beef Association
- National Pasta Organization
- American Bakers Association
- Soyfoods Association of North America
- National Restaurant Association
- International Dairy Foods Association
- Soft Drink Association
- Wheat Foods Council
- USA Rice Federation and the Produce Marketing Association
As you can see, there are a lot of industries who have something to say about what the government recommends as a healthy diet. Many of these industries are not happy about the USDA Food Pyramid or the Dietary Guidelines recommendations either.
There are groups of doctors, nutritionist, and authors who claim the USDA Food Pyramid is too high in carbs or too low in fat and everything in between. Some authors blame the USDA Food Pyramid for actually causing the rise in obesity and obesity-related diseases in America.
The Low Carb Group
The low carb authors say the USDA Food Pyramid is wrong because it advocates a high carb diet and has for many years, yet the obesity rate continues to climb. Many nutritionist and doctors claim it has to be that the USDA Food Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines are wrong and caused this rise in obesity.
I should point out that the USDA Dietary Guidelines advocates eating more whole wheat which is what most call a good carb. Though many of the low carb authors believe no carb is good.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommends adults eat the following portions,
- Carbohydrates: 45% to 65%
- Protein: 10% to 35%
- Fat: 20% to 35%
The USDA Dietary Guidelines states that Americans are still eating twice as many refined grains than the guideline recommends, which is 3 ounces per day or the equivalent of three slices of bread. If you take a close look at your diet, you might be surprised at just how many refined grains you are eating. Don’t forget to look at cereals, bread, and buns, cakes, pizza, pasta, and chips.
Well-known low carb diets are the South Beach Diet and Atkins Diet. Robert K. Su M.D. even wrote a book called “Carbohydrates Can Kill”.
The High Fat Group
The high-fat group of dieticians and doctors say that the saturated fat recommendations in the USDA Food Pyramid are far to low for a healthy diet. This group believes that saturated fat is healthy for us.
Michael Eads M.D. and Mary Dan Eads M.D. wrote a book called “The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Age Middle” which they write that you can lose weight and the belly fat by eating saturated fat.
The Vegetarian Group
Vegetarians and vegans also have a beef with the 2010 USDA Food Pyramid. Their belief is that any animal food, meat and dairy is unhealthy.
One well-known vegetarian author is Dr. Dean Ornish wrote the book “Eat More, Weigh Less”. Dr. Ornish is well-known for reversing heart disease through diet only, without drugs or surgery. Another well-known plant-based doctor and author is Dr. John McDougall.
The 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines
It would be impossible for the USDA to design a food pyramid that made every group happy. The new Dietary Guidelines have recommendations for several age groups and gender [3]. Some of their general recommendations include:
- Eat less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat and replace these fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated and either eliminate or reduce trans-fatty acid consumption.
- Have less than 30mg of cholesterol per day.
- Reduce sodium to 2,300 mg per day. If you are over 50, African American, have diabetes or kidney problems use only 1,500 mg of sodium per day.
- It is recommended you get 14 grams of fiber per every 1,000 calories you eat. Healthy sources of fiber are whole wheat and even better are lentils and legumes.
- Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). You can go to a web site for BMI calculators [4, 5].
- Reduce sugary drinks, soda pop, and sweetened fruit juices; make sure any fruit juice has 100% fruit juice.
- Cook more of your own healthy meals at home and watch your portions.
- Eat the proper amount of calories for your age and activity level [6].
- Be more active and get more exercise.
- The new USDA Dietary Guideline is actually advising we eat a more plant-based diet, which gets close to being a type of vegetarian.
Conclusion
There are many groups, industries, doctors, nutritionist and authors who find fault with the USDA Food Pyramid and USDA Dietary Guidelines. And the low carb, high fat and vegetarian doctors all make some good points in their books, but it can get very confusing. The food pyramid is probably very good health advice and just plain common sense that if followed would help many Americans lose weight and be healthier.
Sam Montana is a certified
Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal
nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
About the Author
Copyright © March 2011 Sam Montana
Resources
[1] DGAC - Questions and Answers on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
[2] USDA Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's report
[3] USDA Dietary Guidelines
[6] USDA Weight Chart for All Ages and Genders