foodCreating a balanced diet for you and your family, starts with the understanding of the food pyramid and its categories. In our modern diets we tend to gravitate towards red meats and starches like potatoes as staples for everyday meals. The food pyramid consists of six different groups divided into three tiers; understanding each group and tier will encourage a more well rounded diet.

  1. The base of the food pyramid is composed of bread, cereal, rice and pasta with 6-11 servings necessary, (based on level of activity and gender).

  2. The next tier consists of vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower- calling for 3 to 5 servings a day. The fruit group, which includes bananas, apples and grapes requires two to four servings per day.

  3. Two to three servings of milk, yogurt and cheese are also necessary components of a well balanced diet.

  4. Two to three servings of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dry beans, and nuts are also suggested for daily diet.

  5. Fats and sweets remain at the top of the pyramid. These are foods that are encouraged to be looked at as an indulgence and not a dietary staple. This category of foods includes salad dressings, butter, soft drinks, candies, sweet desserts, fried foods and foods that are high in fat content.

Consideration of these food groups and keeping a conscious balance of them in your daily diet will result in increased energy, increased alertness, an improvement in skin and hair as well as a decrease in fatigue.