Food guide pyramid

A food pyramid (also called food pyramid) is a pyramid-shaped nutrition recommendation, in which the relative proportions are represented by food groups that are recommended for a healthy diet. At the base of the pyramid are the quantitatively most preferable that entered at the top in a lesser amount to be consumed foods, so that the approximate ratio is presented obvious.

The first -known food pyramid was that of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA ), which has now been adapted several times. Their structure is not without controversy and other governmental and non -governmental organizations in many countries gave and make recommendations in the form of food pyramids out. In addition to the U.S. and the WHO, these are in Europe alone more than a dozen countries or organizations.

• 3.1 Special needs of specific groups of people

Objectives of the recommendation

The original aim of the pyramidal recommendations for a healthy diet was only a quantitatively adequate supply of food components, typically proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Later pyramids were published, went out their health goals over and qualitative ratings of foods included ( the hierarchical level of the placement), motivated eg about the connection between diet and the disease frequencies.

Food pyramids

First food pyramids

Perhaps the idea in the form of a food pyramid is quantitatively make a diet recommendation a Swedish invention of cookbook author Anna Britt Agnsäter, which in 1974 distributed by the state.

Food pyramid of the United States Department of Agriculture

The first food pyramid from the USDA, published in 1992, based on a self- publication of the FDB in Denmark in 1978 and was introduced to the older food groups to replace based recommendation system. It reached a wide prevalence and awareness among consumers and was the prototype of many other pyramidal publications in other countries.

The current food pyramid the USDA MyPyramid in 2004, called, consists of six food groups and gave the hierarchical presentation of these on. You are now a fan shape, proportional to surface presented to the recommended amounts side by side. In addition, no general absolute dose information is more known ( Portions / Servings ) but showed only relative quantities. In addition, a customized version with absolute dose information is available that is generated on the basis of gender, age, weight and physical fitness.

On June 4, 2011, the USDA released the MyPlate as a release for the food pyramid. Critics accuse the MyPlate that it was just like the MyPyramid influenced by the food industry and is not the latest scientific research needs. In consequence was developed by the University of Harvard Healthy Eating Plate that.

Food Pyramid WHO Europe CINDI dietary guide

In 2000, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the CINDI dietary guide within the CINDI ( Countrywide integrated noncommunicable disease intervention ) program gave out, which included a food pyramid. It is composed of three hierarchical levels with four food groups, in addition a traffic light color coding from green ( below) is used to red. Basis is a carbohydrate carrier / vegetable / fruit group is in the second level, the two groups of dairy products and proteins ( animal and vegetable ) and the tip form a high sugar and fatty foods.

Food pyramid of the German Society for Nutrition

Following the example of the United States following published other countries in the following years, partially adapted versions of the food pyramid from the USDA. For Germany did the German Nutrition Society ( DGE), based on their existing since the 50's and whole foods diet propagating circle.

In the diet recommendation of the DGE ( after 1992 ) are in the first place, the drinks, especially water. One should drink at least 1.5 liters a day. At the base are the staple foods that contain long-chain carbohydrates ( starches), such as bread, rice and pasta. On the next higher level, there are vegetables and fruits. The third stage involves proteins and protein-containing foods such as milk and milk products on the one hand as well as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and beans ( legumes) on the other. At the top of the pyramid of sugar and fats are how to find vegetable oils, of which only a little should be consumed.

In the 2000s, the criticism grew on the carbohydrate -based recommendations, on the one hand since no decrease in the dietary lifestyle diseases was recorded and also the more expectant Evidence-based Medical Research presented the recommendation in question.

2005 DGE issued a pyramid in which vegetables and fruit along the carbohydrate- containing foods had displaced as the largest food group: 30% carbohydrate group, 26 % vegetables, 17% fruit, 18% dairy products, 7% animal proteins (meat, fish, egg etc. ), 2% oils and fats. Through a complex three -dimensional pyramid representation differentiated in quantity and quality nutrition recommendation is made now as well. A study of the effectiveness of these complex 3D presentation in the mediation of recommendations was performed and revealed an average of 42 individuals, 80 % correct answers to the pyramid.

Food pyramid of the Swiss Society for Nutrition

The Swiss Society for Nutrition 2000, also gave out a food pyramid. Basis is here after sufficient supply of water, vegetables and fruits before carbohydrate containing foods. Meat, fish and dairy products are listed on the same level. Scientific source are given, inter alia, the 1998 USA release.

Food pyramid of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, published in March 2010, a food pyramid with the following recommendations:

• Daily min. 1.5 liters of water and alcohol-free or low-energy drinks.
• A daily 3 servings of vegetables or legumes, and 2 servings of fruit.
• Daily 4 servings of cereals, breads, pasta, rice or potatoes (5 servings for active athletes and children) - preferably wholegrain.
• A daily 3 servings of low fat milk and milk products.
• Per week, 1-2 servings of fish. Per week up to 3 servings of lean meat or low-fat sausages. Per week up to 3 eggs.
• Daily 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. String, baking and frying fats and high-fat dairy products sparingly.
• Fat, sugar and salt- rich foods and energy drinks infrequently.

In the 7-layer pyramid is differentiated fine between animal and vegetable sources of fat, also forms the basis here fruits and vegetables, carbohydrate foods are located one level higher. A scientific source for this pyramid was not specified by the BfG.

Healthy Eating Pyramid from Harvard School of Public Health

On the basis of new scientific evidence regarding the individual food classes by new studies and meta-studies Walter C. Willett and Meir J. Stampfer proposed by the Harvard School of Public Health 2003, a new food pyramid in front of: vegetable oils ( olive, canola, soybean, corn germ, sunflower seeds or peanuts ) can now be found at the base at the fiber rich cereal products, while husked rice, white bread, potatoes and pasta, butter and red meat at the top, so in the only in small amounts to consuming food stand.

When meat is differentiated between poultry and red meat, with poultry is considered to be healthier and therefore should be eaten more often. Poultry, fish and nuts are the main sources of protein to be, while red meat and cheese should be eaten as seldom as possible. However, the authors admit also a degree of uncertainty about the connection between eating habits and health.

Willett and Stampfer's proposal to let the epidemiology incorporate nutrition-related diseases in a revised food pyramid is broad interest, but also criticism in the scientific community in Germany.

Other Approaches

However, there are other models, for example, one after the Logi method that puts the glycemic load is based. For example, corresponding models were developed for vegetarian diet and for Asian cuisine. The Atkins Diet Theory spreads a food pyramid, whose base form of meat and oils, carbohydrates the top of the pyramid.

Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition

For the Vegan diet and in some cases also the Vegetarian diet is to make sure that a large part of foods that are recommended in food pyramids are not available. This particularly applies to meat (chicken, beef, fish, etc. ), eggs, milk, whey and cheese products, and other animal fats and ingredients. Vegan products, which mimic meat and cheese, do not always provide the exact same ingredients, making a slightly lower biological value is created. However, these nutrients can be supplied by the consumption of fat - and Protein plants. Meanwhile, on the web, vegetarian and vegan food pyramids.

So far no official food pyramid was published, which reflects the nutritional needs of vegans.

Review and outlook

Since 2000 at the latest traditional USDA food pyramid in 1992 based are controversial one hand, since no decrease in the dietary lifestyle diseases was recorded and also the more expectant Evidence-based Medical Research presented the recommendation in question. Long-term studies ( Nurses' Health Study ) in the USA have shown that people who mainly eat carbs in the form of white flour and sugar to be more likely to suffer from obesity and other lifestyle diseases. A more nuanced knowledge about subsets of the food groups is also a result of research, so to be expected that more complex, nuanced recommendations (eg fish fats compared to other animal fats ), as they are depicted so far in pyramids.

Often represented in the food pyramid recommendation also 5 servings of vegetables / fruit a day is provided by studies in question, for example, the European EPIC study. In this, the relationship between diet and cancer has been studied for over 8 years and half a million subjects, however, the expected significant protective effect by vegetables and fruits could not be confirmed.

On later pyramids which are mainly based on the Glycemic Index ( Logi, Willett, etc.), the DGE shall exercise the criticism that they mix qualitative statements ( hierarchical level of classification of food ) and quantitative ( size of the pyramid level ), leading to confusion the user can perform.

Based on the new findings and the controversial opinions, there are no matching and unique dietary recommendations of an independent body.

Special requirements for certain categories of persons

Another problem with the food pyramid is that they do not take into account special needs of specific groups of people and therefore only a comparatively small part of the population looking to produce correct indications for nutrition. In particular, with the age increasing importance of protein supply is not considered. A supply of up to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, as recent evidence suggests is necessary to prevent the breakdown of muscle and brain mass in old age, with a diet according to the guidelines of the food pyramid is hardly possible. The protein content, as well as the biological value of the protein contained is far too low, particularly for cereals and legumes. Suitable plant foods, for example, potatoes and soybeans. But, even with respect to the highest quality protein intake combination of potato and egg protein in a ratio of 2:1 ( which is about one egg weight class L to 800 grams of potatoes ) is a sufficient supply of protein, taking into account the food pyramid practically impossible to achieve.

Furthermore, the food pyramid also does not consider the prevalence of food intolerances and allergies, for example, lead over malabsorption as a result of diarrhea in an additional reduction of the protein intake. A common example is the gluten -induced enteropathy (celiac disease). An undifferentiated food according to the guidelines of the food pyramid results in this common form of protein intolerance to significant health hazard. This applies to just the most recommended among others by the DGE grain products and in limited form also oatmeal.