Diet Analysis: Evaluating the USDA Food Pyramid's Accuracy

The USDA Food Pyramid and Its Limitations

Since the conception of the USDA food pyramid in the 1960s and its official inception in 1992, "the familiar black triangle, found on the majority of food boxes at the supermarket, has been an expected sight to our generation" (Greene). It is the icon of nutrition for an entire country, and children are introduced to it as soon as they enter their first public school. To complete its universality, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (as revised in 1994) requires it to be placed on all food packaging without special exception.

While the food pyramid has done its share in advising the American public of certain basic ideas about nutrition, it has also done its share of harm. According to Scientific American, in an article titled "Rebuilding the Food Pyramid," "since 1992 more and more research has shown that the USDA pyramid is grossly flawed" (Willett 23).

The disparity between the stream of correct information from various health and nutrition organizations — for instance, most Americans know that saturated fat is less healthy than fat in general — and the erroneous ubiquity of the food pyramid — few Americans understand the difference between monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats — has led to the coexistence of two prevailing but contradictory nutritional ideologies. The first is that which is outlined in the food pyramid. The second is a haphazardly assembled collection of facts gleaned from the advertising efforts of nutritional research organizations.

Caloric Intake and Fat Consumption

My one-day caloric total for October 16th was 1,275 calories. According to the often-cited 2,000-calorie diet, I fulfilled a mere 63.75% of my daily caloric requirements. However, Scientific American points out that "the best way to avoid obesity is to limit your total calories, not just the fat calories" (Willett 26).

On the same day, I consumed fifty-six grams of fat (86.15% DV), eighteen grams of saturated fat (90% DV), eleven grams of polyunsaturated fat, and sixteen grams of monounsaturated fat. Fat — the conventional harbinger of nutritional ruin — was comfortably below the allowed daily amount. Unfortunately, "nutritionists [have] long known that some types of fat are essential to health and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease" (Willett 23), which means that, in the name of dietary betterment, it is possible that I deprived myself of vital nutrients.

To briefly venture from dietary analysis: the fundamental principle of construction — whether biological, social, or nutritional — that form follows function is largely ignored when it comes to fat. Saturated fat is particularly unhealthy because all available hydrogen bonds have been filled with a hydrogen atom, resulting in a stiff molecule that takes up more lateral space and is more likely to cause arterial blockage. This fact is reflected in the food pyramid's recommendation of a lower daily quantity of saturated fat.

What the pyramid fails to address is that the more hydrogen bonds remain incomplete in a fat molecule, the more flexible it becomes, and therefore the less harmful. Dividing the remaining fats simply into "monounsaturated" and "polyunsaturated" is more than misleading; it is downright irresponsible.

Carbohydrates, Fiber, and Protein

October 16th brought with it 159 grams of carbohydrates. This is in keeping with the findings of Scientific American, which not only made the aforementioned statement about the benefits of lowering overall caloric intake, but also states that "scientists [have] found little evidence that a high intake of carbohydrates is beneficial" (Willett 23). Of course, this figure is anything but pleasing to the food pyramid, which flatly recommends almost twice that amount per day.

The six grams of fiber in my diet satisfied no standard. Dietary fiber intake is clearly an area for concern, and the data makes this fact pleasantly clear. Adding bran muffins or kidney beans to my regular diet would likely be beneficial.

The forty grams of protein consumed were also an area for concern. The food pyramid and daily values say very little about protein, and conventional wisdom has remained relatively quiet on the subject as well. American Fitness writer Nancy Clerk advises between one-half and one gram of protein per pound of body weight for a "recreational exerciser" (Clerk), which put me far short of the recommended mark.

The matter is further complicated by the fact that food labels list only whole proteins in the nutrition facts. In countries where food is scarce and meat is at a premium, the primary fare is often rice and beans, which together form a complete protein — a nuance entirely absent from standard food pyramid guidance.

The primary failing of the food pyramid is that the USDA was under pressure to communicate simply to a vast number of people with varying ages, levels of education, and backgrounds. "Nutritionists fell victim to a desire to simplify their dietary recommendations" (Willett 23). Ultimately, dietary concepts must be applied at an individual level. The issue with my diet was not simply too little or too much of any one thing; rather, it was a concentration of unhealthy foods with a high percentage of saturated fat and minimal amounts of protein and fiber. While the low calorie count was a positive attribute, it would be more prudent to choose a diet lower in saturated fat and higher in complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.

Conclusion

While misinformation is rampant in the field of nutrition, each person is ultimately responsible for their own diet, since it is they who will have to live with the consequences of malnutrition. Given the results of this dietary analysis, a change is clearly in order.

Works Cited

Clerk, Nancy. "Protein Power: How Much Protein Do You Really Need?" American Fitness, July–Aug. 1997. LookSmart, Find Articles. Accessed 24 Oct. 2006.

Greene, Lisa. "Food Pyramid History." The USDA Food Pyramid. Accessed 24 Oct. 2006.

Willett, Walter C., and Meir J. Stampfer. "Rebuilding the Food Pyramid." Scientific American, 17 Dec. 2002, pp. 23–28.

Works Consulted

"MyPyramid.Gov." United States Department of Agriculture. USDA. Accessed 24 Oct. 2006.

"USDA Food Guide Pyramid." Weight Loss Resources. 03 Mar. 2003. Accessed 24 Oct. 2006.