Food Guide Pyramid

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I'm going to try to make this as simple as possible, if I don't answer everyone's questions please, ask or email me and I'll try to clarify.

How many servings do you need each day? This number varies depending on what category you are in.

For women and some older adults the numbers look like this: Calorie level about 1600, Bread group 6 servings, Vegetable group 3 servings, Fruit group 2 servings, Milk group 2-3 servings (3 for pregnant or lactating women and teenage girls), Meat group 2, for a total of 5 ounces.

For children, teen girls, active women, most men the numbers look like this: Calorie level about 2200, Bread group 9, Vegetable group 4, Fruit group 3, Milk group 2-3, Meat group2, for a total of 6 ounces.

For teen boys and active men the numbers are: Calorie level about 2,800, Bread group 11, Vegetable group 5, Fruit group 4, Milk group 2-3,Meat group 3, for a total of 7 ounces.

These are the calorie levels if you choose lowfat, lean foods from the 5 major food groups and use foods from the fats, oils and sweets group sparingly.

What counts as one serving? Breads, cereals, rice and pasta 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta, 1/2 cup cooked cereal, 1 ounce (usually about 1 cup) or ready to eat cereal

Vegetables 1/2 cup chopped raw or cooked vegetables 1 cup leafy raw vegetables

Fruits 1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 3/4 cup of juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, 1/4 cup dried fruit

Milk, yogurt, cheese 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 - 2 ounces of cheese (1x1x1" cube), 1/2 cup ice cream :)

Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts 2 1/2- 3 ounces of ooked lean meat, poultry, or fish Count 1/2 cup of cooked beans or 1 egg, or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter as 1 ounce of lean meat

The amount you eat may be more than one serving. For instance, a dinner portion of spaghetti would count as two or three servings of pasta.

Any questions please ask? Polly

-- (jserg45@hotmail.com), January 03, 2002

Answers

Oh heavens... too complicated.

Eat lots of fruits and veggies, a bit of complex carbs like potatoes, brown rice, pasta.

Avoid fat and grease.

Keep meat to a minimum.

Simple is as simple does.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), January 03, 2002.


If you can see the picture of the pyramid, it is actually pretty easy, but trying to put it all into words is hard.

Thanks Polly, I was interested in the portion sizes.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 03, 2002.


I totally agree with Rose, it's simple, and a very health way of eating!!! No gimmicks, no measuring!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 04, 2002.

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