Now that I’ve spent weeks showing you all the great tools available on MyPyramid, I’m going to turn around and argue the other side. While most nutritionists agree that MyPyramid is a healthy diet… not everyone agrees that it is the healthiest diet. Critics of MyPyramid claim that it is politically influenced by the meat and dairy industry, and therefore recommends too much meat and dairy and not enough unprocessed, plant-based foods. Additionally, critics argue that MyPyramid is visually difficult to understand.
In response, the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health has developed the Healthy Eating Pyramid. Their recommendations are similar to a Mediterranean-style diet, placing a special emphasis on whole grains, healthy oils, and plant-based protein sources. Additionally, their pyramid is easy to comprehend at a glance (see below).
So, which pyramid do I think is best? Honestly, I think the Healthy Eating Pyramid is probably the better pyramid, but I still like MyPyramid for all their cool online nutrition tools (see The Free Nutrition Tools You’re Missing Out On). From a personal standpoint, I try to follow the Healthy Eating Pyramid more closely. From a public health standpoint, our country would be better off if people more closely followed either diet.
Which diet pyramid do you prefer?
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5 responses so far ↓
Dani Lee // December 10, 2009 at 8:01 am |
Yep, definitely the Harvard Healthy Eating Pyramid – it is the one used for educational purposes at UC Davis for both Student Health Services and University Dining Services.
The downside of not having all those fancy online tools aside, the Harvard Healthy Eating Pyramid is definitely more science based. MyPyramid is much too influenced by industry for us to feel comfortable using it as a tool for students.
Hope all is well!
Food-Fitness-FreshAir // December 10, 2009 at 3:25 pm |
Oh, I’m definitely a fan of Harvard’s Healthy Eating plan. Numerous studies have shown that a Mediterranean-based diet leads to better overall health. Plus, I one of those people that believe the dairy and meat industry effect the regular pyramid exceedingly too much.
Nicole // December 10, 2009 at 9:24 pm |
I agree! I love the Healthy Eating Pyramid. I am a seafood-aholic and lover of exercise, however! : ) Great post!
Doug // December 18, 2009 at 8:41 pm |
In a true battle of the “pyramids”, I would bet all my money on the Paleo Pyramid – http://www.healthhabits.ca/2009/07/17/nutrition-deathmatch-1/
Nicole Geurin, RD // December 20, 2009 at 6:00 am |
Doug: Thanks for sharing your opinion. I have some disagreements with the Paleo Pyramid, however. I think a diet based on animal protein is risky health-wise. And I also don’t believe there is any reason to cut whole grains out of the diet. Refined grains and simple sugars, sure, but the benefits of whole grains are well documented.