nutrition experts want usda to rebuild the food pyramid

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid is "outdated and doesn't fit the latest food research," according to Harvard professor and noted national nutrition researcher Walter Willett in a recent issue of USA Today.

Currently, the Pyramid advises Americans to eat six to 11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta a day, consume two to three servings of meat, poultry fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts—and eat fats, oils and sweets sparingly.

New claims: "At best, it offers wishy-washy scientifically unfounded advice on an absolutely vital topic—what we eat," Willet points out.

The chairman of the dept. of nutrition at Harvard's School of Public Health believes the pyramid isn't doing Americans' health or waistlines any favors—by putting too much emphasis on red meat and lumping too many different types of carbohydrates together.

He says not enough attention is being given to nuts, beans and healthy oils, "which have positive health effects."

Another naysayer: In another recent article in USA Weekend, author Jean Carper offers 10 tips that strongly side with many of Willett's contentions.

Carper advises the public to use more olive oil, more whole grains, fatty fish and nuts in their diets. "A new study shows that a very high-fiber vegetable-grain diet, including 2.3 oz. of nuts daily, lowers bad LDL cholesterol 30% a week," she says.

She also suggests restricting meat, animal fat, trans fats and sodium—and eating less. "Cutting portion sizes in half would do more to improve American health than anything."

Pyramid targets: According to Harvard researcher Willett, the current Pyramid's most damaging faults are related to:

Fats: The use of fats sparingly now at the top of the Pyramid ignores the fact that two types of fats—monunsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil and other vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains and fish—are "good for your heart." But at the same time, fats in whole milk, red meat, margarines and vegetable shortenings contribute to artery clogging and heart disease.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates now form the base of the USDA Pyramid with recommendations to consume 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta daily. But, Willett contends this approach overlooks which type of carbohydrates are important. He says the carbohydrates that should form the base of the diet come from whole grains like brown rice and oats, food made from whole grains (whole-wheat pasta), bread and beans.

Protein: Basically, Willett also objects to the Pyramid giving equal billing to red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts. He says red meat is a "poor protein," because it's loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol. He advises greater consumption of fish, beans and nuts.

Other experts and nutritionists inside USDA and outside government aren't quick to support all of these positions, but it is clear that a re-look at the Food Pyramid is underway in academic and research circles, and among the nation's top media.