Veggies rule in the new Food Pyramid!

As most of my readers know I have given up sugar in an attempt to bring down my cholesterol level and I often check out 'I Quit Sugar' for recipes, hints and to read about the latest research into healthy as well as junk foods. I found it very interesting to read this week that the Food Pyramid has been updated by Nutrition Australia for the first time in 15 years and it looks like veggies rule!

 The I Quit Sugar staff are over the moon about it. We have been encouraged for ages on TV, in magazines etc. to eat more vegetables than most Aussies eat so hopefully everyone will take heed. As posters of the Food Pyramid are often to be found in schools, it would be nice to see young children become aware of the need to include more of the greens in their daily diet as they are growing up. I know that lots of schools now have their own veggie patch and the children love seeing their vegetables growing.

The old Pyramid had three layers but to clarify how much of each food group should be included each day, the new one has been divided into five food groups. Thankfully it is suggested to limit salt and added sugar and the bottom layer which is the largest, is reserved for vegetables, fruit and legumes.

We are really fortunate that we can grow our own vegetables here... 

...and also have several fruit and nut trees.

 

It is also recommended to use spices and herbs instead of salt to flavour foods which suits us fine as we have quite an assortment of herbs growing.

I have been reading a lot about the benefits of eating avocados to help lower cholesterol so it is nice to see them included in the bottom layer of the Pyramid which is the eat most of section.  We have our own avocado tree as well which we share with the local wildlife. 

If you are interested you can read a brief history of the Pyramid. Also if you would like to order a poster of the Food Pyramid or a magnet for your fridge just to remind you about the five layers of food which are recommended, you can order them from Nutrition Australia. The A2 size poster is $4.95 plus postage and the A5 size magnet is $3.75 plus postage.

I wonder how many of us actually eat the recommended portions of vegetables each day. I know I don't but I know I should and I hope to change that. Do you? Come on ....'fess up!