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Nutritionists: Fix the Food Pyramid
by Renee Kjartan
Nutritionists at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine saythe Food Guide Pyramid (see accompanying illustration) should bechanged to show that a vegetarian diet offers the most diseaseprotection of any dietary pattern. The Ag Department is reassessingthe Pyramid. PCRM calls for three changes to the Pyramid:
(1) Delete the Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Group. There is no consensusthat dairy consumption is beneficial, and no other food group in thePyramid is focused on a specific nutrient (calcium). Recent studieslink consuming dairy products to increased risk of prostate cancer andnew research contradicts the notion that consuming lots of dairyproducts protects against bone loss.
(2) Emphasize plant sources of protein, such as beans and nuts, whichare healthier protein choices and have been shown to reduce the riskof coronary heart disease. A diet low in or free of animal productsalso helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis, kidney stones and coloncancer.
(3) Promote whole grains, which boost fiber and can lower risk ofcoronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. PCRM promotespreventive medicine, especially good nutrition. It is working toimprove the Food Guide Pyramid and in 2000 won a lawsuit against theUSDA proving that the agency concealed data proving that members ofthe advisory group revising the Guidelines had financial ties to themeat, dairy, and egg industries.
