Treat your body to better health

These are about food pyramid.

The food pyramid is not a new concept. However, for the first time in more than a decade, the USDA has updated the food pyramid based on the latest scientific findings on how to treat your body to better health. Awareness of the benefits of healthy food choices, like high fiber foods, has been more and more prevalent in our proactive American quest for wise nutrition.

Fiberlady has continually emphasized a fruitful (one must learn to appreciate the pun) diet for her high fiber imperative. The undeniable truth is that vegetables, fruits and whole grains are needed for daily vitamins, minerals and fiber.

The first step (orange) of the new food pyramid recommends eating 5-8 ounces of grains per day depending on age and gender. Whole grains breads, cereals and brown rice are among the healthy choices. One step up (green) on the pyramid are the vegetables and fiber-rich plants. It is recommended 2 cups of vegetables per day to include a variety of legumes, leafy greens and orange colored vegetables such as butternut or acorn squash. Next, the red step represents fruits. Eating two cups of fruit a day is the standard guideline.

Overall, here are the daily recommendations: 3 to 5 servings of vegetables 2 to 4 servings of fruits 2 to 3 servings of milk, yogurt & cheese 6 to 11 servings of bread, cereal, rice, & pasta 2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs & nuts Use fats, oils & sweets sparingly

The new food pyramid recognizes the essential role of dietary fiber every day. A high fiber diet helps to lower high cholesterol levels, aids in weight loss, controls diabetes, reduces the risk of colon cancer, lowers blood pressure and helps to curb heart disease.

In cultures where the foods are high in fiber and the fiber remains intact, there is a much lower rate of cancer. High fiber foods sweep out the colon, helping to prevent high concentrations of carcinogens from sticking around. Foods that are highly processed and overly refined (way too much of this stuff dominates our grocery shelves) attribute to the growing rate of cancer and other chronic diseases in our society.

Create and adapt your own nutritional plan based upon MyPyramid; choose wisely, and get plenty of exercise. The important lesson is that every change you make towards a healthier you is a positive step. Fiberlady asks you to learn an important new mantra. “Every little step counts.”