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WEEKLY NEWS 3: Government Unveils New Food Pyramids

On Tuesday, April 19, 2005, the U.S. government introduced a new symbol guiding the way people should eat.

The new pyramids, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are called MyPyramid. They feature rainbow-colored bands that represent different food groups. The color coding goes as follows: orange equals grains, green is for vegetables, red represents fruits, yellow is for oils, blue means milk and purple represents meats and beans. The food groups run vertically from the tip to the base of the shape.

The major difference between the old and new food pyramids is the individualized section. Previously, one pyramid was used as the healthy-eating guideline. Now the USDA has created 12 separate pyramids to cater to people of different ages and activity levels. Other added features to MyPyramid include a calorie counter and exercise section.

Officials said they are hoping the new tailor-made food pyramids will help people develop better eating habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Internet tools were also introduced to help people follow the new recommendations.

--Written by Leah Williams

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