Who Invented the Food Pyramid and Why You'd Be Crazy to Follow It

Summary

The USDA's nutrition guidelines, dating back to 1894, have evolved significantly over time, with the most notable shift being the introduction of the Food Pyramid in 1992. The original concept of a food pyramid came from Sweden in the 1970s, born out of necessity due to rising food prices. However, the American version became heavily influenced by food industry lobbying, leading to controversial recommendations such as excessive servings of grains and dairy. Over time, revised guidelines, including Harvard's plate model, emphasized balanced eating, but the USDA continued to face pressure from industry groups. The video explores the evolution of these recommendations, shedding light on the complex interactions between science, politics, and industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 The USDA's first nutrition guidelines, dating back to 1894, recommended moderation, variety, portion control, and avoiding excessive fat consumption.
• 😀 The original Swedish food pyramid, created in the 1970s, was designed out of necessity during a time of high food prices. It divided foods into 'basic' and 'supplementary' categories.
• 😀 Anna Britt Agnsäter developed the triangular model for the food pyramid, which was later presented to the public through Kooperativa Förbundet's magazine in 1972.
• 😀 The Swedish government distanced itself from the pyramid, instead advocating for a 'dietary circle' model, though it lacked clear guidance on portion sizes.
• 😀 The American version of the food pyramid, introduced in 1992, was heavily influenced by food industry lobbying, with modifications made to favor certain sectors like dairy, wheat, and processed foods.
• 😀 The meat and dairy lobbies played a significant role in shaping the USDA pyramid, pushing for dairy to be treated as an essential food and increasing grain servings.
• 😀 The USDA pyramid's 6-11 servings of grains per day were primarily aimed at benefiting the wheat industry, not based on nutritional science.
• 😀 In 1995, the USDA revised the pyramid to include more moderate language regarding sugar intake, bowing to pressure from the sugar industry.
• 😀 Despite recommendations for lower salt intake to prevent high blood pressure, research has failed to conclusively support the idea that low sodium diets reduce heart disease risk.
• 😀 Harvard's alternative food pyramid, which prioritized fresh foods and healthy fats, has since influenced both the USDA's MyPlate and other nutritional guides.
• 😀 Both the USDA and Harvard recommend a balanced diet focusing on vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins, and limiting processed foods, though the USDA still emphasizes dairy as essential, which has drawn criticism.

Q & A

What were the USDA's first nutrition guidelines in 1894?

The USDA's first nutrition guidelines, introduced in 1894, advised moderation in everything, eating a variety of nutrition-rich foods, watching portion sizes, and avoiding excessive fat consumption.

What was the origin of the Food Pyramid idea?

The Food Pyramid idea originated in Sweden in the 1970s, where it was created as a response to high food prices. The Swedish government tasked the National Board of Health and Welfare with finding a way to improve the nation's food choices, leading to the development of a triangular model.

How did the Swedish food pyramid differ from the USDA's version?

The Swedish food pyramid was simpler and bundled dairy with other staple foods, whereas the USDA's version gave dairy its own section. Additionally, the Swedish pyramid focused on basic and supplementary foods, whereas the USDA pyramid became influenced by lobbyist pressures.

What was Anna Britt Agnsäter's role in the development of the Food Pyramid?

Anna Britt Agnsäter, working for the Swedish Co-operative Union, refined the original concept by developing a triangular model to visually represent food portions, which was later shared with the Swedish public.

Why did the USDA's food pyramid change from the original version proposed by nutritionists?

The USDA's food pyramid was heavily altered due to pressure from food industry lobbyists. Changes included increasing servings of grains and processed foods while downplaying fresh produce and lean meats to benefit various industries.

What controversial changes were made to the USDA's Food Pyramid in 1992?

In 1992, the USDA's Food Pyramid included 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice, and pasta, largely influenced by the wheat industry. Additionally, dairy was emphasized as an essential part of the diet, despite cultural and dietary variations where dairy is not necessary.

What impact did lobbyists have on the USDA's dietary guidelines?

Lobbyists, particularly from the dairy, meat, and grain industries, influenced the USDA's dietary guidelines by pushing for higher servings of their products and downplaying the importance of fresh and whole foods, leading to revisions that favored processed foods.

How did the USDA handle the sugar and salt recommendations in 1995?

In 1995, the USDA revised the food pyramid to recommend moderation of sugar, rather than advising a reduction, due to pressure from the sugar industry. While sodium reduction remained in the guidelines, the science around its impact on health was still debated.

What criticism did the USDA receive regarding the amount of salt recommended in the Food Pyramid?

The criticism stemmed from a lack of solid evidence supporting the claim that low sodium diets reduce blood pressure and heart disease. Despite recommendations from health organizations to lower salt intake, studies like the Cochrane reviews found no clear benefit to sodium reduction.

What is the current recommendation for a healthy plate, according to Harvard and the USDA?

Both Harvard and the USDA now recommend a plate model, with half the plate consisting of fruits and vegetables, a quarter with healthy proteins, and a quarter with whole grains. The USDA's MyPlate also includes dairy as a separate group, while Harvard emphasizes healthy fats and limits red meat.