Tips for Using the Healthy Eating Pyramid

We’ve all heard of the Food Pyramid, and probably know that this is the model that’s used for a healthy diet for most Americans. But how exactly do you use the food pyramid? Is following all its guidelines every day the only way to good health? Here are some suggestions for using the food pyramid that will have you on the path to healthy living in no time.

Get the recommended serving of each food group per day

Before you start to customize your own food pyramid, make sure you have the basics down first. Look at a traditional food pyramid to get the serving amounts from each food group, so that you know how to maintain a basic healthy diet. Most people don’t even follow the traditional pyramid regularly, so once your body gets used to this, you’ll be able to add your own special touches to meet your personal health needs. To get started, you’ll need to consume at least three servings of grain per day, three to five servings of vegetables a day, five servings of fruit a day, two to three servings of milk/dairy products, and about two servings of meat or beans per day. Fats, oils, and sugars should be used sparingly. Try this diet for about a week or two, so that you can get yourself in the habit of fitting all these nutrients in your diet, as well as adjust your grocery list. Then, you’ll be able to create your own pyramid, detailing your specific health needs, much more easily.

Customize your food pyramid

You may need to adjust the pyramid to fit your dietary needs if you have a genetic predisposition for certain diseases or are on medication, you may need to increase of decrease the servings of foods in each group. For instance, individuals who are prone to cancer or heart disease, foods that are rich in fiber, such as whole grain breads, pasta, and foods rich in starch like potatoes and corn are recommended. For skin health, foods that are rich in antioxidants, like fruits, green vegetables, and even fish and flax seed, which contain Omega-3 fatty acids help to maintain the pH balance in the body, and can even prevent breakouts. Talking with your doctor or a health professional to find out which foods should be very common in your diet will help you to keep track of what you should be eating during the day. It may also be a good idea to keep a journal of your progress, so that you know how well you’re doing with your new diet. Pretty soon, you’ll be eating healthy without giving it a second thought.