ACHIEVING DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS - WHOLE-GRAIN FOODS IN THE FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID

The Food Guide Pyramid illustrates USDA's food guide developed to help people follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Unlike earlier fo od guides, the new food guide specifies foods for a total diet; that i s, it addresses both concerns about adequacy and moderation. The food guide recommends increased intakes of the vegetable, fruit, and grain groups with special emphasis on dark-green leafy vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain products. These foods are important sources of several vitamins and minerals, complex carbohydrates, and dietary fiber, and they are generally low in fat. Analyses of expected nutrient levels pr ovided by the food guide diet patterns indicate that the nutrient cont ribution of whole-grain products is particularly important for diets a t lower calorie levels. In these diets, it is recommended that at leas t half the number of servings in the grain group be whole-grain produc ts. In all diets, it is recommended that several servings of whole-gra in products be included each day. Average intakes of vegetables, fruit s, and grain products are less than recommended. The pyramid graphic h as been especially helpful in emphasizing to the public the importance of increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and grain products fo r a healthful diet.