II. Background
- USDA Food Pyramid is NOT recommended for dietary guidance, but kept for historical purposes
- USDA Food Pyramid impacted dietary guidance in the U.S. from 1992 to 2011
III. Precautions
- Consider the Healthy Eating Plate as an alternative
- USDA Food Pyramid was influenced by many outside forces including the meat and dairy industry
- Based on Scientific Report of Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, released every 5 years
- However, USDA breaks with advisory board when in political conflict (e.g. meat/dairy, environment)
IV. Guideline: USDA Standard Food Pyramid for Adults (replaced by other meal planning strategies)
-
Fiber: 6 to 11 servings per day (5 to 10 oz grains per day)
- Bread
- Cereal
- Rice or Pasta
- Vegetables: 3-5 servings/day (2 to 4 cups/day)
- Fruits: 2-4 servings/day (1.5 to 2.5 cups/day)
- Dairy: 2 to 3 servings per day (3 cups/day)
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
-
Protein: 2-3 servings per day (5-7 oz/day)
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Dry beans
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Fats, oils, and sweets (22 to 44 g/day, up to 36 g/day in age over 60 years)
- Used only sparingly
- Snacks (Discretionary Calories)
- Limit to <10 to 15% of total calories, or <100 to 440 kcals/day (up to 350 kcals/day in over age 60 years)