For many years, we saw the familiar Food Pyramid on packages, in magazines and ads, at the supermarket and at school. It's purpose? To represent healthy eating in picture form. However, it became obvious that the Food Pyramid wasn't really doing it's job. People weren't following the recommendations, or were confused by them. Our nation was increasingly becoming overweight and out of shape. Diet and nutrition were discussed endlessly in the media, but the average person didn't get the answers they were looking for from the Pyramid:
- What exactly was a serving size?
- Did we really have to eat 9-11 servings of grains every day?
- And how am I supposed to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables (beyond french fries, ketchup, carrots or tomato sauce)?
MyPyramid: Dealing With a Few GlitchesFortunately, the force behind the Pyramid, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), realized the Pyramid was in desperate need of an upgrade. They began the process of updating and changing the familiar Food Guide Pyramid, relying on a panel of experts and focus groups to help them determine what the best new outcome would be. The result, released just after the new 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, was MyPyramid. It has now been over a year since MyPyramid was released. Has it changed America's eating habits? Cleared up the nutrition confusion? Helped slim down and shape up a nation?
In a word, no. But why?
Why are people not following the new recommendations? Why has MyPyramid not caught on like wildfire? Truthfully, there are probably many reasons. But a few stand out. First, does anybody really know about MyPyramid? It's not like MyPyramid has a hot diet book on the New York Times list, or several big-name celebrities touting MyPyramid as the secret to their fabulous bodies. And why not? Well, that leads us to reason number two.
The federal government spent lots of time and money developing MyPyramid and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. But where is the money for promotion? How do they plan to advertise and market My Pyramid to all those Americans looking for information on diet and exercise?
Well, it seems like they aren't.
Once MyPyramid was developed, there was no money for promotion. So the question becomes: How can America use this new, highly researched, great tool if nobody has heard of it? And, another unfortunate question: Does anybody care?
Making MyPyramid More Useful to the Masses
One way MyPyramid intends to reach the masses is through its website, www.MyPyramid.gov. (Don't mistakenly type in MyPyramid.org--that will take you to a mirror site touting the evils of "Agribusiness!") once you log on to MyPyramid.gov, you can create your own "Pyramid Plan," check out the MyPyramid for Kids area, or read up on tips and resources. So what can Americans actually take away from the site? How can busy, overwhelmed people use the information on the site to help them become healthier? Here are three suggestions:
- For the tech-savvy people: Type your age, sex and amount of physical activity into the "MyPyramid Plan" box and click "Submit." This will give you suggestions for what to eat from each food group and tips on how to do that. Plus, you can use "MyPyramid Tracker" to enter in your food intake, like an online food diary. This is for those of you that can pay close attention to what you eat, and like the idea of typing it into the tracker and receiving feedback.
- For those less tech-savvy, or who have limited Internet access: There is still useful information for you at the MyPyramid site. Click on "Tips & Resources." Here, you can do something as basic as clicking on "Tips for Eating Out," print it, and keep it in your purse or car. Refer to it on those restaurant or fast food runs. Even small steps like that can start to make a difference, and you don't have to keep a time consuming food diary if that's not your style.
- For those of you with children: Click on "MyPyramid for Kids." Your kids can play the MyPyramid Blast Off game (Ages 6-11), or print off materials, worksheets and coloring pages.
The Bottom LineMyPyramid is by no means perfect. However, there are many useful things on the MyPyramid.gov website, and the tips and resources associated with MyPyramid are very helpful. It's a shame MyPyramid and the website aren't more heavily marketed to the public, because the advice is a lot more sound than those pill ads run ad nauseum on TV, or the newest diet book endorsed or written by a dubious "doctor."
What it all comes down to is this: MyPyramid is based on something many people in out country don't like to hear. Losing weight or becoming healthy is a slow process. It takes work. It takes the ability to change your mindset. It's not easy. And, truthfully, how do you successfully market that? Maybe that is part of the reason it hasn't caught on like wildfire. People looking for a quick fix aren't going to turn to a government backed program that truthfully states that what people are looking for (the quick fix) doesn't exist, no matter how sound the advice is or how respected the people involved are.
Hopefully, people will at least be willing to check out the MyPyramid.gov website and take away one useful bit of advice that can be applied to their lives. And maybe a combination of word of mouth and an increase of advertising dollars (hey, it could happen) will get the basic message out there: MyPyramid is free, useful, and it works. Just be prepared to find sound advice, not pills, celebrity endorsements or hot diet books.
Jaime L. Hebert is the a freelance writer, mother and former teacher. She currently owns Workhorse Writing Solutions, a freelance writing business. She is available for all your writing needs: articles, brochures, newsletters, etc. Jaime has had several years of experience working with schools and teachers in the area of nutrition education and physical activity and is currently attempting to get her toddler to eat fruits and vegetables every day. You can visit her at: http://www.needgoodwords.com and sign up for her free newsletter. | |
