PHYSICAL
PERFORMANCE, INC.
“For those who know that second place will never do.”
Training Tips and News
|
|
Interpreting the Food Guide Pyramid
Although it has been used much less as a teaching tool lately, the Food Guide Pyramid can still be a helpful method of monitoring a healthy diet. But, when looking at the diagram and reading all the different ranges of servings from each food group, how do you know which number of servings is the most appropriate for you? For example, when you look at the breads and cereals on the bottom section of the pyramid, it suggests 6-11 servings. Does that mean that you should potentially be eating 11 servings daily from that food group? Well, maybe, maybe not. Here’s the deal… The lower numbers of servings from each group provide the approximate food energy needs for sedentary women and the elderly. The mid ranges are usually going to be appropriate for most children, teenage girls, active women and sedentary men. At the top ranges are the approximate food energy needs of teenage boys, active men, and very active women. Men who would be classified as very active may need to exceed the serving suggestions a bit in order to fully meet their needs. Check out the following and see if you get the idea.
Food Group Servings Breads & Cereals 6-7 8-9 10-11 Vegetables 3 4 5 Fruits 2 3 4 Dairy 2 2-3 3 Meat, Fish, & Eggs 2 2-3 3 Approx. Calories 1600 2200 2800
**If you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, or any other condition requiring limited or moderated food intake, you should consult your physician or a registered dietician for you food intake requirements. The Food Guide Pyramid provides only a general guideline to help you maintain a well-balanced diet, common sense food choices must still be made within these guidelines.
|
