The Flaws of the USDA Food Pyramid (1992) and Its Impact on Protein Consumption: A Critical Analysis
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Date
2023-02-05
Authors
Deivanayagam, Nithi
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Abstract
The USA introduced the Food Pyramid in 1992 with the intention of offering nutritional
advice on how to make healthy dietary choices. This pyramid had different food groups placed in
sections: the largest represented the grain group, followed by the fruit and vegetable group, the
dairy group, and the smallest represented the protein group. The pyramid's design was meant to
suggest that people should consume more food from its base and fewer meals and liquids from
its top1. During the first half of the twentieth century, the government aimed to provide
guidelines to help people make more informed decisions about their diets and ensure they were
consuming a balanced diet that met their nutritional needs. The government provided information
on the recommended daily intake of different nutrients, like protein, carbohydrates, fats,
vitamins, and minerals. Despite its good intentions, the USDA Food Pyramid (1992) was flawed
in several ways, including an emphasis on high carbohydrate consumption and its inadequate
representation of protein, which resulted in a shift in the public’s dietary habits, leading to
negative health outcomes.
Description
4 pages
Keywords
carbohydrate consumption, Top Protein Wars, essay