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2005/06/29, 11:44 AM
The government's new Pyramid Scheme
With all the attention obesity's finally getting - and not just in the media, but in schools and in state legislatures and in government agencies like the CDCP and DHHS - you'd figure we'd start a bonfire with the decades-old dietary orthodoxy and try something new. And at the bottom of that pile should be the ridiculous Food Pyramid that's made us all as fat as prize heifers over the last 30 years.
But NO! Our government's too dependant on the tax revenues generated by the refined foods industry to abandon the hopelessly grain-, starch-, and vegetable-biased system. So what do they do to answer the growing cacophony of criticism?
They obfuscate.
As though one inaccurate, outmoded, and downright lethal iconic dietary guide weren't enough, now they've gone and split it up into 12 different Food Pyramids. It's like the doggone thing went and had itself a litter! Supposedly, this dirty dozen is designed to encourage people to take a more active interest in their own body and metabolic type, then tailor a dietary plan to their own specific needs using the new Pyramid and other Web-based tools.
The new guides are more confusing than the Department of Homeland Security's terror alerts. There are six different colors at play in the new system - each one representing a different food group, along with suggestions for portions and exercise recommendations. Yet even with the facelift, the device's variations all basically recommend a diet heavy in grains, cereals, vegetables and fruits, while also still underemphasizing the importance of meats, eggs, oils, nuts and the like, according to a recent Associated Press article.
In other words, it's the same old same old. Just goes to show you can't polish a turnip.
This new system isn't all bad, though. There is one GOOD thing about these 12 Internet-custom-tailored Food-n-Exercise Pyramids: They're so confusing and labor-intensive that they'll no doubt drive people to throw up their arms in exasperation and look elsewhere for a new approach to diet, nutrition and weight loss...
Like maybe the proven number of other simple, low-carb, high-protein and animal-fat diets that'll really make a difference in their health and lives.
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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bb1fit@freetrainers.com
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2005/06/29, 03:12 PM
However when they "throw up their arms in exasperation" maybe they'll get some exercise out of it.
Seriously I've eaten horribly all my life (until the last 4 months). If I hadn't found this site and learned how to balance out my diet then I would have continued to eat horribly and I don't think the new pyramid scheme would have helped matters at all. That thing is more confusing then some of the big words you used in this post (cacophony and obfuscate). :big_smile:
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2005/06/29, 05:20 PM
BUMP to you sstump!!!
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2005/06/29, 09:20 PM
Ron,
I am currently taking a CEC on the new guidelines.
At least they are recommending whole grains now and focusing on exercise more than before.
The guidelines are meant for profesionals to aide their clients to make better choices, they aren't necessarily meant for the avergae Joe or jane to understand/interpret.
I think they are finally trending towards less refined foods and more nutrient concious choices.
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It\'s easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.
-Henry Ward Beecher
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2005/06/30, 10:18 AM
Agreed Amy....but a bit of cynycism is always welcome! :)
Actually, there are no "studies" that show conclusively that we need 2 gr. of protein per lb. of bodyweight, etc. But, if it keeps you from eating other things, then still it is a good thing.
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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bb1fit@freetrainers.com
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2005/06/30, 10:49 AM
Thank God for a federal government that cares enough to tell us lip diddling idiots how to eat. I for one am downloading all the info I can find on the new guidelines. They feel our pain and have responded. The mantra that my sweet 86 year old mama has preached to me has always been to eat as much unprocessed natural foods as possible as opposed to the pre packaged stuff. What the hell does she know about health and longevity?
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Sometimes life is as easy as herding cats.
Charlie
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2005/06/30, 10:52 AM
Charlie, you are the man!! :big_smile::big_smile::big_smile:
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Quoting from charlie826:
Thank God for a federal government that cares enough to tell us lip diddling idiots how to eat. I for one am downloading all the info I can find on the new guidelines. They feel our pain and have responded. The mantra that my sweet 86 year old mama has preached to me has always been to eat as much unprocessed natural foods as possible as opposed to the pre packaged stuff. What the hell does she know about health and longevity?
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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bb1fit@freetrainers.com
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2005/06/30, 12:17 PM
Umm, go to any mall - the evidence is there in front of you - most people do need some help on what to eat. Or just check out the boards here - maybe not totally clueless, but not sure on what to eat and how to get nutrients.
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It\'s easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.
-Henry Ward Beecher
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2005/06/30, 12:40 PM
No argument from me on that Amy. It's just do you really want to follow the government guidelines? Half the prescription drugs in existance have been recalled or had to have their warnings modified because of unexpected side effects. Personally I won't let my quacks give me a prescription that hasn't been out for 5 years or more. I'm also proud to say I haven't been inside a mall in 16 years . How cool is that?
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Sometimes life is as easy as herding cats.
Charlie
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2005/06/30, 01:16 PM
I hate malls! Unless I have someone else with me to tell me what looks good I won't go shopping. Oh but that's off topic.
Oh and did you hear about some guy sued a maker of an Antidepressant, because they didn't warn him that it could cause his child to commit suicide. So now they have to put that on the side of the prescription bottle. Wow that was off topic also...I need to get a life.
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2005/06/30, 11:48 PM
People are smarter than you are giving them credit for. The only reason folks eat the way they do is comfort, ease, and it tastes good....media marketing, bombarding folks day in and day out with fast food, chips and dip, is what has swayed the American diet. People actually know what is good for them, but they don't like it, and want to be told they can have their "comfort" foods and still get a rock hard beach body.
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Quoting from asimmer:
Umm, go to any mall - the evidence is there in front of you - most people do need some help on what to eat. Or just check out the boards here - maybe not totally clueless, but not sure on what to eat and how to get nutrients.
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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
bb1fit@freetrainers.com
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2005/07/01, 06:49 AM
Quite right BB1! One has seen, here in France, where people used to only eat healthy food, that since TV has become more popular,3 channels to 20 in 10 years, the the French are now becoming obese (the % is something like 3 kids out of 10) There is also the question that more families have both parents working, and that they turn to processed food and no longer go to the local market.
L.
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Cerca, trova
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