This is a way to represent in a basic and simple way the foods that the general population should eat routinely, to have a healthier life. This pyramid consists of 5 food groups.
The food pyramid, or also called the nutritional pyramid, is also conceptualized as the graphic reference of the amount of different food groups that we must consume daily to stay healthy. This is only a graphic reference, since the ideal amounts of consumption will depend on the age, weight, height, texture and physical activity exercised by each individual.
The Spanish nutrition society is responsible for changing the list every time the benefits of new foods are discovered. In recent years, wine or beer have been added as in moderate amounts they have many health benefits. Normally, within the food pyramid, foods are represented with colors.
Orange: Represents cereals and pasta and you have to eat at least 180 at a time.
Green: Represents vegetables and should eat a cup and a half at a time
Red: Represents the fruits 3 cups and a half at a time.
Yellow: They represent fats and sweets. It is recommended to eat these foods as little as possible.
In recent years, obesity rates in children and adults have grown incredibly, causing those responsible for the food pyramids to add 30 minutes of daily exercise to the list.
It is an attempt to reduce the obesity rate in the different countries of the world.
The recommendation of nutrients can vary between populations and therefore it is necessary that there be an adjustment in the food depending on the region or country that is inhabited. For this purpose, the pyramid is generally organized into different groups where the food is generally distributed over four levels.
The distribution of foods in the food pyramid was adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1992 after finding this type of presentation easier to understand and accept. The main goals of the food pyramid are a more varied intake of food, a lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as a moderate intake of sugar, salt and alcohol. Physical exercise is recommended for the purpose of losing or maintaining weight, as well as the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, or cardiovascular problems.
