Whenever anyone from Harvard issues nutrition information, I sit up and take note.
That’s because the Harvard School of Public Health generally offers some really sound advice. Moreover, Harvard can boast a number of excellent researchers, including the forward-thinking Dr. Walter Willett.
In fact, Dr. Willett, the author of Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, has spearheaded some groundbreaking research, some of which I highlight in my upcoming book SUGAR SHOCK!
For those of you wondering what to eat, Dr. Willett also developed a food pyramid that makes sense — the Healthy Eating Pyramid, which he discusses in his book.
Anyhow, today the Harvard Heart Letter sent a press release noting that its April issue takes a look at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) MyPyramid as its one-year anniversary hits. (For those of you in the dark, MyPyramid replaced the former food pyramid.)
The Haravard Heart Letter press release today points out, "although it redecorated and renamed the old pyramid, the USDA didn’t carry out the necessary changes needed to offer clear information on strategies for healthful eating.
"MyPyramid fails to convey key messages from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the document that the food pyramid is supposed to represent, and it makes some recommendations that aren’t the best nutrition advice."
For example, the Harvard Heart Letter notes that MyPyramid fails in that:
- It doesn’t contain specific enough advice regarding fats and carbs. (MyPyramid only advised you to "choose wisely" when it comes to those food groups.)
- It doesn’t make distinctions between various protein sources and "sidesteps the evidence that eating less red meat and more of the other protein sources offers numerous health benefits."
The Harvard Heart Letter did praise the following aspects of MyPyramid:
- MyPyramid stresses physical activity.
- It uses common measurements like cups and ounces.
- It tries not to offer "one-size-fits-all recommendations."
But the Harvard Heart Letter claims — rightly so — that "MyPyramid is not an unbiased source of information. It comes solely from the USDA, the government agency that promotes American agriculture."
For more information, you can order the Harvard Heart Letter here.
And while you’re at it, check out this other interesting article, "Food Pyramids: What Should You Really Eat?" from the Harvard School of Public Health.