Dr. Mike Tracy

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The new food pyramid has literally turned the “old” pyramid upside down. The old pyramid is not a depiction of the perfect diet, as it had cheesecake at the top of the pyramid and bread, rice and pasta at the base.

The revised food pyramid emphasizes "real food" and does not make any specific recommendations regarding portion size or frequency. Diet should be tailored to your size, biological sex and activity level. The new food pyramid encourages a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods like proteins, dairy, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats, while minimizing highly processed foods and added sugars. This new approach aims to improve overall health and address chronic diseases linked to poor dietary habits, as highlighted by the following stats:

• 90% of healthcare spending goes towards treating chronic disease — much of which is related to diet and lifestyle.

• 70% of American adults are overweight or obese.

• 33% of American adolescents meet criteria for “pre-diabetes."

Other recommendations include adequate hydration with water (not sugar-sweetened beverages), protein with every meal, full-fat dairy with no added sugars, and whole fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Healthy fats are also encouraged (meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, avocados, olives) with an emphasis on whole grains and sharp reductions in refined sugars.

(Dr. Mike Tracy is one of the providers at 307 Health in Powell.)