USDA Diet Guidelines

Do the diet guidelines provided by the US Department of Agriculture promote better health?

a) Yes
b) No
c) Sometimes   

Correct answer:

c) Sometimes

What you should know:

In 1992, the USDA published the “Food Pyramid”, which recommended that approximately half of the food eaten each day—6 to 11 servings—should consist of bread, cereal, rice, and pasta.  It is now known that consumption of simple carbohydrates increases risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Current guidelines emphasize the importance of fruits and vegetables, but also contain the advice to “make half your grains whole grains.” If you did that, then 50% of the grains you eat would be refined.  When grains are refined, fiber and other important components of whole foods are stripped out and starches are made much easier to digest, which can lead to blood sugar and insulin spikes.

You can learn more about the role of carbohydrates in your health in the eSavvyHealth course The Carbohydrate Wars.

More Articles To Explore

Delicious Nut Butter Cups

Check out these very simple, delicious nut butter cups! The recipe is extremely simple and it makes...

Get Access to More eSavvyHealth Articles and Guidebooks with a Free Membership