Doctors and nutrition experts tell us to eat a “balanced” diet, but this does not mean eating equal amounts of each type of food. You need to eat more of some foods than others to meet your body’s needs. For a balanced diet the foods you eat should work in harmony with one another. Over the years nutrition experts have drawn charts and plotted graphs to help people visualize which foods they should eat in larger or smaller quantities. As more has been learned about nutrition, the charts and graphs have changed accordingly. Once, the food groups were shown as sections in a pie chart; today the pyramid is a popular, more representative visual presentation. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, the elderly, and people who are ill may require somewhat different proportions of food, but for most people the pyramid guidelines are generally appropriate for a well-balanced diet. The foundation of the pyramid is composed of complex-carbohydrates – cereals, rice, bread, and pasta. The greatest number of servings in your daily diet should be of these foods. Bear in mind, however, that the whole-grain forms are the best choices and are more healthful yet if served with just a little butter or a minimal amount of rich sauces, because these add calories. |
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