Health Pyramid Diet
- The pyramid shape is the main guideline for this eating plan, and as the pyramid gets smaller at the top so does the daily requirement for that particular food group. The pyramid places foods in distinct categories, and it is designed to offer the most nutritious foods in recommended amounts for optimum good health.
- Eat lots of fresh produce.
Mayo Clinic's pyramid places fresh produce at the bottom of the pyramid, which is the largest section. According to Mayo Clinic's pyramid, a minimum of four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit are recommended. However, this is the one area on the pyramid where you have the choice to eat unlimited amounts of fresh vegetables and fruit. - Whole grain cereal is the best.
Carbohydrates are next in line on the way up the pyramid. Carbohydrates include bread, cereal, pasta, rice, starchy vegetables and other grains. Eating whole grain cereals, breads and pasta is recommended by Mayo Clinic as well as other food pyramids. A serving size of carbs on the Mayo Clinic plan is generally 1/3 cup, though this may vary on other pyramid diets. - The pyramid diet plan recommends 3 to 7 servings daily.of meat, chicken, fish and dairy foods such as cottage cheese, milk or yogurt. A serving size for milk would be 1 cup. Serving sizes on other pyramids may vary from this. The Mayo Clinic recommends selecting low or non-fat varieties of dairy foods, and lean meats and skinless chicken breasts.
- Olive oil is healthy.
The Mayo Clinic pyramid diet recommends three to six servings of fats daily. The healthiest selections are olive, sesame and canola oil. Sweets are at the very top of the pyramid, and they should be limited to 75 calories.
