The food pyramid changes periodically, but however you look at it, a significant portion of the published pyramids are for animal products. Though I find the new pyramid difficult to read (while I really like the inclusion of exercise) I couldn't help but notice that the dairy section seems to be the largest one ... maybe equivalent to grains. What?!? This seems to go hand in hand with the over abundence of dairy adds of the last two decades ... the milk factories must be paying out to be granted a larger "lot" in the food pyramid.
(Food Pyramid Images taken from: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/food_pyramid.shtml)
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| Old Food Pyramid |
In any case, I have obviously decided to eliminate animal products, but then was still left with
the decision of how to structure amounts and focus on what I DO eat.
Here are two possibilities for vegan food pyramids:
This first one has a heavy grain focus. Of course, I am wary of eating too many refined carbs and try to limit dairy and pasta. However, whole grains are healthy and offer fiber. In the US, many grains are fortified with folic acid (a very important nutrient, especially for women of child bearing age, but also to help avoid certain anemias at any age). "Native" grains such as quinoa are higher in protein than those in the "traditional modern" diet such as wheat, white rice, quick cook oats etc....
This second one builds the bottom layer with greens. Rick dark greens provide iron, calcium and so much more. They are high in dietary fiber, and rich in folic acid, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.
In fact, in the first version of the pyramid does not single out green leafies outside of the fruits and veggies layer of the pyramid. Likewise, the second pyramid does not seem to include grains as a group at all. Strange, as the rest of the pyramids are fairly similar.
I think if I were to make my own pyramid I would probably combine leafy greens and whole grains in the bottom tier.
What do you think? How do you eat??
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