The Food Pyramid Timeline

Okay folks, I’m just getting started here trying to dip my toes in the nutrition pool, so to speak, so I decided to do a little USDA food pyramid research. Let’s take an interesting trip down memory lane.

1943

Here is a photo of the first nutrition guide in 1943. Notice the bit at the bottom that says “eat any other foods you want”.

1952

I don’t have a photo for this one, but in 1952 the USDA introduced the “Basic Four” food groups:

• Vegetables and fruits: Recommended as excellent sources of vitamins C and A, and a good source of fiber. A dark-green or deep-yellow vegetable or fruit was recommended every other day.
• Milk: Recommended as a good source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, riboflavin, and sometimes vitamins A and D. Cheese, ice cream, and ice milk could sometimes replace milk.
• Meat: Recommended for protein, iron and certain B vitamins. Includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, dry peas, and peanut butter.
• Cereals and breads: Whole grain and enriched breads were especially recommended as good sources of iron, B vitamins and carbohydrates, as well as sources of protein and fiber. Includes cereals, breads, cornmeal, macaroni, noodles, rice and spaghetti.

1992

Okay, so then we make it all the way to 1992 before there’s an introduction of the USDA's food guide pyramid. This is the first time they actually recommended serving sizes of each food group.

2005

Finally! In 2005, the USDA updated its guide with MyPyramid to include exercise.

2011

Michelle Obama did a good(ish) thing in 2011 by revamping it again. I really appreciate her willingness to rename the previous meat categories as “protein”. Because, let’s face it, protein isn’t only in meat. And there are many people who don’t eat meat.

2014

I REALLY like this plant-based pyramid created by Matthew Kenney Cuisine. I don't actually know when he made this pyramid, but I'm going to pin it as 2014 just because I feel like it.

Okay, cool. So that was fun, right? You can see the progression over time where the nutrition knowledge improved, but let me ask a question... Why are you telling me what types of foods to eat? Shouldn't you be telling me what nutrients I need? I think it would be most helpful to know how much fiber, protein, probiotics, antioxidants, ...etc. I need. Then perhaps you can list different types of food that contain those nutrients. Because, let's face it, raw broccoli is great, steamed is good, and then broccoli wrapped in bacon.....ehhhhh....not so much.

So consider this my formal request to anyone listening. Can you take care of that for me? K. Thanks. ;-)

Robin Williams’ Suicide and the Catholic Church’s Beliefs

With the recent news of Robin Williams’ tragic death on August 11th, I wanted to reflect just a bit on depression and suicide. Depression is crippling. Depression is ugly. I've known people in my personal life to take their own life. I’ve also known people who  attempted to. Too many people. I'm just overwhelmingly overtaken with sadness and the thought of so many people out there in this world that are suffering. No matter how it looks on the outside, you never know what someone else is going through. 

There are people making statements in the name of Christianity that Robin is going to Hell, and that what he did was a selfish act. In response to that, I'd like to quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.”

Also, 

“The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection.”

I think it’s so important to give all people the respect they deserve. I want to treat all people with kindness. I never want to use Christianity as a means for judging or damning others. I want to use my faith to live a Christ-like life that is centered around kindness. I pray for all the people who were mentally ill and driven to suicide. I pray for all the people currently suffering with mental illness and contemplating suicide. I hope that they can find the help they need to make it through their difficult time on earth. 

Robert Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said: 

“Suicide is not a choice. Suicide is a health issue. Suicide can result if a mental illness—like major depression or bipolar disorder—goes untreated, in the same way that a patient can die from pneumonia if they go untreated.” 

Read his whole article here. We must raise awareness about suicide so that people contemplating suicide can seek the help they need. Be careful with your words, because they can cause pain to others.

Be kind to one another. Lift each other up. And for the love of God, seek help when you need it. 

R.I.P. Robin.