Food Pyramids. There Are Quite a Few Guidelines in the World

There Are Quite a Few Guidelines in the World

Dietary guidance for healthy children (long article, contains food and activity pyramid illustrations)

Official Recommendations for the United Kingdom

1. Eat less total fat; 35% food energy recommended.
2. Eat less saturated fatty acids; 15% of food energy
recommended, including trans-fatty acids (which provide about 1.5% of energy).
3. Polyunsaturated fatty acids may be increased from 5 to 7% of energy (P/S ratio up to 0.45).
4. There are no specific recommendations about the dietary intake of cholesterol.
5. Intake of simple sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) should not be increased further".
6. An excessive intake of alcohol is to be avoided.
7. Consider ways and means of decreasing salt intake.
8. Increase fiber-rich carbohydrate foods.
9. Avoid or treat obesity .

The AICR Diet & Health Guidelines for Cancer Prevention

1. Choose a diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods.
2. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
4. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
5. Select foods low in fat and salt.
6. Prepare and store foods safely.

And, always remember... Do not smoke or use tobacco in any form.

More pyramids: which one to follow?

The Okinawa Pyramid emphasizes as it’s base daily consumption of whole grains (seven to 13 servings), and vegetables (seven to 13 servings).

The Healthy Eating Pyramid has two carbohydrate building blocks: whole grains (brown rice, whole grain bread and cereals) that are slowly digested as part of the foundation, and highly refined, rapidly digested carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, potatoes, etc) at the very top.