[thechat] Here's to our health!

[Marlene Bruce]

Hi everyone,

I was reading about the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid (as opposed to the one
put out by the USDA) while standing in line at the nearby fantabulous Greek
Deli (at 1120 19th St NW, my favorite lunch spot), and decided to look it up
when I got back. Here it is, if you're interested:
http://www.oldwayspt.org/html/p_med.htm. This looks to be a better way of
eating.

The site also has pyramids for the following diets:
* Asian
* Latin
* Vegetarian

(http://www.oldwayspt.org/)

Marlene

P.S. From the site:

The Oldways pyramids are alternatives to the outdated U.S. government Food
Guide Pyramid and differ from it in several strategic ways: 

* Unlike the USDA pyramid, which is a theoretical construct, the Oldways
pyramids represent actual traditional diets from cultures around the world
-- diets that have been scientifically proven to promote good health over
the long term.

* The USDA pyramid recommends daily consumption of meat, despite research
proving the health value of eating less red meat. Moreover, it assigns
beans, poultry, fish and nuts to a single food group, unaccountably treating
animal and plant protein as similar, which they are not. The Oldways
pyramids group nuts with beans and legumes in one category and recommends
their daily consumption along with vegetables and fruits; fish and poultry
are recommended only a few times a week; and meat is suggested only monthly
or in small quantities.

* Oldways recommends greater use of plant and vegetable oils (such as olive
oil, peanut, and sesame oils) than of animal fats, while the USDA pyramid
lumps all plants and oils together, despite their great differences.

* Unlike the USDA pyramid, the four Oldways pyramids recommend moderate wine
consumption and daily exercise as part of a healthy dietary routine. The
U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recommend moderate alcohol
consumption and exercise, but these are omitted from the USDA pyramid.