This pyramid advocates eating 2-3 servings of dairy, and 2-3 servings of meat daily. Fats and oils are "use sparingly", which shows how stuck on "low fat" we still are. Also, maybe it's just me, but 6-11 servings of grain seems a little much to eat in 1 day. This doesn't even specify whole grain, but mentions pasta, and bread. It also mentions nothing about the beverages we should be consuming. Still, if Americans actually ate this way, I think we'd still be tons healthier than we are now. Lets move on to the Asian Diet food pyramid that I found:
Wow, if Americans ate like this imagine the health benefits! First off, this pyramid includes daily physical activity which is something most of us obviously don't get. It also specifies noodles and breads, but adds & other whole grains, which is very important. Notice how there are no serving sizes, and how grains, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, veggies, and veggie oils are the only things that should be eaten daily. Notice how the oils is not placed at the top to be used "sparingly", probably because this diet is naturally low in fat, so there is no problem with oil. Also in the "optional daily" is fish and shelfish or dairy. Red mead is ranked as monthly (which is even less than sweets!), and poultry and eggs weekly. I also like how beverages are included. There is no question in my mind which one is healthier, but it seems like it all comes down to mentality. We as Americans have the mentality that dairy and meat are healthy, good foods, that are pretty much ranked equally with fruits and veggies (according to the serving sizes on the pyramid), and I believe this is wrong. If our pyramid looked more like the Asian pyramid, and we actually ate that way (and we incorporated exercise!) I think that as a society we'd be so much healthier, and could avoid many of the diseases that are so commonplace.
On the subject of disease, why are we so resigned to it? Should we just accept it as inevitable? Chalk it up to bad luck or genetics? I say no. While there are many conflicting theories as to what causes disease, I believe the biggest reason is toxicity of the body, especially the glandular system. I also believe that our bodies can heal themselves of disease when they are functioning optimally. Now what can we do to ensure that our bodies are functioning optimally? That is the billion dollar question! It is what I'm in search for, and right now, the closest I've come to an answer is "eat more whole foods, especially raw ones". They contain everything the body needs, and in the exact amounts and compositions that nature intended!
