The Government's Food Pyramid

When we ask, "What kinds of food should we eat to maintain a healthy lifestyle?" most of us would not expect the answer to be buried in the depths of lobbyists' pocketbooks. In "The Politics of Government Dietary Advice" by Jennifer Lisa Falbe and Marion Nestle the true nature of the food pyramid's creation is explored. The authors assert that this icon stamped on numerous food products has been transformed into a marketing device controlled by political lobbyists. Since human beings can consume only so many calories daily, it has become the job of the government to influence what we choose to fill our plates with. Recent issues with the industry have included an opposition to recommending people to eat less of specific foods as no company wants their product to be labeled "unhealthy." For example, large amounts of sugar consumption can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes and obesity. However, the government does not tell the public to avoid such foods because "such a recommendation...would be likely to produce serious, detrimental and long-lasting effects of the agriculture and the economy of [sugar producing] countries."

Also, the food recommendations have become increasingly convoluted and lengthy so that it is difficult to see what is truly healthy and what is not. I find it unreasonable that a tool such as the food pyramid that we use to teach our children how to live healthy lives has morphed into something so unapproachable. Shouldn't transparency in a staple as basic as food be of utmost importance? Is it fair to the public to promote exercising in place of eating healthy foods?

Look at MyPyramid for more food intake suggestions.