How to Compare the Old Food Pyramid to the New Food Pyramid

In 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture updated the famous nutritional "food pyramid" to better reflect current nutritional guidelines. The new pyramid also recognizes the role that exercise plays in a healthy life. As you adjust your eating patterns to fit the new pyramid, rest assure that you will not have to dramatically alter your eating habits. The amended food pyramid expands the original pyramids guidelines but also adds more specificity about certain food groups and additional flexibility for the individual. This how-to guide will outline the basic differences between the two nutritional guideline models.

Instructions

• 1

  Note the categorical changes between the two pyramids. The original pyramid broke food into six categories: milk, yogurt and cheese; meat, nuts and beans; fats, oils and sweets; vegetables; fruits; bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Although the new pyramid also has six categories, the categories have slightly changed. The new categories are vegetables, grains, fruits, oils, milk and meats/beans.

• 2

  Examine how each category is defined. On the USDA's MyPyramid website, you will find specific definitions of each category. For instance, the milk category includes tips for what type of milk/calcium products you should eat (e.g. low fat cheese, lactose-free products). While the old pyramid has general categories for fruits and vegetables, the new pyramid recommends orange and dark green vegetables and a range of fruit types.

• 3

  Compare the recommended serving sizes for the new and old categories. The old categories focus on how many servings you should eat per day, but do not specify the size of each serving. The new pyramid, on the other hand, details the ideal daily quantity for a 2,000 calorie a day diet (6 ounces of grains, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of milk/cheese and 5.5 ounces of meat/protein).

• 4

  Read the new pyramid's exercise recommendations. Since the old pyramid had no exercise advice, you may not have familiarity with ideal exercise amounts. The new pyramid recommends that adults attempt 30 minutes of physical activity a day and that children aim for 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

• 5

  Learn more about the foods in each group. If you visit the USDA MyPyramid site, you will find a complete list of the foods in each category. One of the most major differences between pyramids is the "oils" category. While the old pyramid simply suggested that you eat oils and fats "sparingly," the new pyramid acknowledges that certain types of fat are healthier than others. Furthermore, the pyramid notes that oils such as olive oil have polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that may help to reduce your "bad" low-density lipoprotein levels.