The food guide pyramid, informally known as the food pyramid, and formally titled the Improved American Food Guide Pyramid, was published in 1992 to replace the earlier food groups classification system. The food guide pyramid suggested optimal nutrition guidelines for each food category, per day, using a mnemonic graphic of a pyramid with horizontal dividing lines, to represent suggested percentages of the daily diet for each food group. Lose Weight Fast

What is a "Healthy Diet"?
The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy diet as one that

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products

• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts

• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

The recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines and in MyPyramid are for the general public over 2 years of age. MyPyramid is not a therapeutic diet for any specific health condition. Individuals with a chronic health condition should consult with a health care provider to determine what dietary pattern is appropriate for them. Work At Home Employment

To many nutritional experts (eg Walter Wilett), the 1992 pyramid did not reflect the latest research on dietetics. Certain dietary choices that have been linked to heart disease, such as three cups of whole milk and an 8 oz. serving of hamburger daily, were technically permitted under the pyramid. The major points of criticism have been the pyramid's lack of differentiation within the protein-rich group ("Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts"), some lack of clarity with regard to recommended serving sizes and the pyramid's lack of emphasis on whole grains.

Some of the recommended quantities for the different types of food in the old pyramid have also come under criticism for lack of clarity. For instance, the pyramid recommends two to three servings from the protein-rich group, but this is intended to be a maximum. The pyramid recommends two to four fruit servings, but this is intended to be a minimum.

Another problem is that the food pyramid does not distinguish between whole grains and refined grains. Since some vegetarian diets tend to be based on refined grains, it can skew perceptions significantly.

The Harvard School of Public Health proposes the Healthy eating pyramid, which includes calcium and multi-vitamin supplements as well as moderate amounts of alcohol, as an alternative to the Food Guide Pyramid.

Many observers believe that the Harvard pyramid follows the results of nutrition studies published in peer reviewed scientific journals more closely. Some claim that the USDA was and is unduly influenced by political pressure exerted by food production associations. For instance, the recommended intake of 5 or more cups daily of fruits and vegetables is more than double the World Health Organization recommendation of 400g (about 0.9 lb.) and considerably greater than NHS recommendations.