When the USDA established standards for our daily food requirements and set up the “diet pyramid” the entire nation welcomed the information and took it for absolute magnificent fact. I’m afraid, however, upon additional examination, maybe we need to have considered this a little more.

The diet pyramid did do more than anything prior to inform people about the requirement for consumption of some items from each of the food groups. We require something from all of them in order to eat healthy and keep our health.

That fact no one is contesting. What we, as a population are starting to question, nevertheless, are the day-to-day caloric levels and recommended everyday consumption levels.

Thanks to a growing awareness of individual needs, and the pressure from all locations of medication, conventional and alternative, the USDA has actually now researched and republished their diet pyramid.

The original food guide pyramid had four food groups; the freshly established pyramid has 5. The new pyramid addresses many different issues, from age, weight, and gender requirements to total health concerns.

Restricting the amount of consumption and recommendations about the health concerns when we overeat is also included in the brand-new food guide pyramid. It is now color coded, so that it is much easier for children and adults to find where they fit.

The new food guide pyramid is much enhanced in the location of individual issues, and cautions to readers about specific factors to consider. For clearness sake, let’s take a look at each food group and use a little description.

The bread, cereals, rice and pasta food group has constantly been at the bottom and is suggested to represent the food staples, the foundation of our diet. The next 2 groups, veggies and fruits, are practically the like they have constantly been.

The next level of meats, poultry, fish dry beans, and eggs, in addition to the milk, yogurt and cheese groups are where the reader will discover some definite modifications to the recommended consumption.

The addition of information as far as recommended caloric intake, relying on your lifestyle, and calorie content for fast food products was a required and welcome addition to the pyramid food guide.

Other products of interest are suggested recipes, food alternatives, and tips on food selection. I believe the USDA did a better job with the brand-new guide, than with the old one in developing an environment of “you create your own strategy from this information”.

What we have viewed as far as changes to the diet pyramid and the addition of usual details is a direct outcome of some of the health conditions facing our population today.

The addition of differing suggested levels relying on your gender, lifestyle and age is an outcome of further medical research and information reported by physical fitness and health facilities across the nation.

All this goes to enhance the proof that your health is an individual issue, and must be provided specific attention.

The pyramid food guide is simply that, a guide. It is not your personal strategy of needed eating levels.

It depends on you to tailor the strategy to fulfill your particular needs.