I found myself thinking back to my childhood when I was thinking about nutrition, and started wondering what ever happened to the food pyramid. Out of curiosity I googled it and found that it has changed vastly since I was a kid! The government website, MyPyramid.gov is really informative and breaks it down for you really easy! I made it even easier with my “fit chick spark notes” version below! 
Knowing myself and my OCD tendencies, I may make my own little “checklist” to make sure I meet these requirements on a daily basis.
Fruits: 1½ – 2 cups per day (see chart).
Veggies: 2½ – 3 cups per day (see chart).
Whole Grains: 5-8 ounces per day (see chart).
Milk: 3 cups per day (low fat dairy: milk, cheese, yogurt, etc, see chart).
Meat & Beans: 5-6 ounces per day (lean protein: see chart).
Oils: 5-7 teaspoons per day (such as nuts, fish, cooking oil, dressing. See chart). *The type of oils they are talking about are those that contain contain more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Avoid saturated and trans fats!!*
Discretionary Calories: 130-360 calories per day. This includes eating extra of each food group, higher calorie foods, condiments, etc. (see what you are allowed, and I would read the whole explanation of this one on your own!).
Physical Activity: 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity per day (at minimum and in addition to your usual daily activities).
Click to enlarge. Photo credit: Washington Post
I love that they included Physical Activity onto the pyramid. And although I was slightly put off initially (only because I was thinking my research would lead me to find the pyramid we all grew up on), I really do think the new pyramid is much better! What do you think?
Jennifer is a 27 year old personal trainer living in Connecticut. She is "Coach Jen" at 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the food guide pyramid is a great guide for people, especially those who just want something basic to follow to eat better. I like how it can adjust to individuals height, weight, and activity level which is super important.
I didn’t realize phyiscal activity was included; that’s awesome! I’m ashamed but I really know nothing about the food pyramid. I wish they would teach kids about it early, and not just “limit your sweets!” I’m pretty sure that does nothing but make them want candy even more you know?!
I definitely like the new one! I like that the fats, oils, and sweets aren’t all grouped together like on the old one. It was like putting olive oil and cake in the same category!
Twitter: lauryannraik
May 13, 2010 at 2:15 am
I agree totally about the physical activity part…but the vague guidelines are “generally” saying that a burger (meat) with tomato and lettuce (veggies), and fries (more veggies) and a Strawberry Milkshake (fruit and milk) are a suitable dinner…haha.
Did you see “Food Revolution” with Jamie Oliver and his battle with the USD A guidelines in schools (they were eating pizza for breakfast & milk with more sugar than soda as per USDA guidelines)
I actually wrote a snippet (on 05/03) about this in response to an article from The Huffington Post last week ~In fact, well respected PhD/ head of nutrition at Harvard’s School of Public Health called the guidelines “udderly ridiculous.”–Those are pretty strong words!!!
Experts believe these guidelines reflect industry interests (particularly dairy industry), not science or our best interests.
ps–I love your blog too!! Thanks for the sweet comment…I am adding you to my RSS!
Twitter: AMYSRANDOMNESS
May 13, 2010 at 2:36 am
I’m a much bigger fan of this pyramid compared to the old one…
I like to think that I model my diet after this pyramid, and the one for the mediterranean diet… Loosely of course…
I have not seen the new food pyramid, I like this one alot, and like you said I like that they added Physical Activity into it!
I hope you are feeling better girl, it is no fun being sick!
xoxo