| Grocery stores. School cafeterias. Military bases. The USDA’s food pyramid is everywhere, influencing nearly every aspect of Americans’ nutritional lives. But who’s building the pyramid? And is following it actually good for you?
Too many cooks in the kitchen?
In 1992, the USDA food pyramid was born. It got a colorful facelift in 2005, when it was renamed MyPyramid. Tacked up on school bulletin boards and printed on food labels, that icon of nutrition reflects the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
These guidelines are more than just helpful suggestions. They set the standard for all federal nutrition programs, including the school lunch program, and help determine what food products Americans buy. This translates to quite a bit of influence — on where and how dollars are spent, and which products and food industries thrive. |
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That’s the rub, some critics claim.1 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for developing and executing government policy on the farming, agriculture and food industries. Their duties include subsidizing and supporting food producers, which may put them at odds with the interests of protecting and guiding consumers. Since the nutritional guidelines have such a profound impact on the food industry and agriculture, the food pyramid becomes something of a balancing act.
Still, the USDA asserts that the core purpose of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans isn’t about agriculture or farming; rather, it is meant to “provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for chronic diseases.” 2
Something to chew on
But does it? A growing number of scientists, doctors and nutrition experts are challenging the USDA’s guidelines. Dr. Walter Willett, chairman of the department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, is among the most vocal critics. “At best, the USDA pyramid offers wishy-washy, scientifically unfounded advice on an absolutely vital topic — what we eat,” Willet says. “At worst, the misinformation it offers contributes to obesity, poor health and unnecessary early deaths. In either case, it stands as a missed opportunity to improve the health of millions of people.” 3
Three main points are at issue:
- Fats. The USDA guidelines make no distinction between “good” and “bad” fats. Rather, they recommend eating fats “sparingly.” According to Dr. Willett and others, this does not reflect substantial evidence that two kinds of fats — monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — are actually good for your heart and are an important part of a healthy diet.
The other two kinds of fats — saturated and trans fats — contribute to the development of heart disease. Drawing the distinction and making targeted recommendations for “good” and “bad” fats could help Americans better manage their fat intake and overall health.
- Carbohydrates. Long the foundation of the food pyramid, carbohydrates have taken center stage for many American meals. The USDA makes no distinction between simple carbohydrates (like white rice or processed cereals) and complex carbohydrates (whole grains like brown rice and oats).
Simple carbohydrates act like sugar in the body, adding empty calories and spiking blood sugar levels. Consuming large quantities of simple carbohydrates has been shown to increase the risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Complex carbohydrates have been shown to protect against some diseases, help keep the digestive tract running smoothly and help you feel full longer.
- Protein. Willett argues that not all protein is created equal. For example, red meat is high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Willett argues that red meat should be moved to the “use sparingly” column and that the protein recommendation should focus on other sources of protein like fish, beans and nuts, which have additional nutritional value like healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Building a better pyramid
The USDA’s MyPyramid is currently under renovation — a new version is due out, by federal mandate, in 2010. Panelists and experts are hashing out the details, with input from private citizens, medical professionals, concerned parents and industry lobbyists alike. Exactly how the next version will incorporate current understanding about health and nutrition remains to be seen. But with the state of the nation’s health increasingly in the spotlight, it’s likely to be a juicy topic.
More information about the USDA’s MyPyramid.
More information about Harvard’s “Healthy Eating Pyramid.”
1Among the most vocal critics are the experts at Harvard, who have created their own “Healthy Eating Pyramid” as a challenge to the USDA’s version. Harvard School of Public Health, “Food Pyramids: What should you really eat?” 2007.
2USDA, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.
3Qtd in Hellmich, Nanci, “New shape of the food pyramid,” USA Today, July 26, 2001.
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