food pyramid

food pyramid

n.

A graphic representation of human nutritional needs in the form of a pyramid, in which foods whose recommended daily intake is highest occupy the wider bottom part and foods whose recommended daily intake is lowest occupy the slender top part.

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food pyramid,

a diagrammatic proportional representation of human nutritional needs updated in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replace the previous food pyramid created in 1992. The "My Pyramid" icon has 6 panels representing grains; vegetables; fruits; milk; meat and beans; and fats, sugars, and salts. According to My Pyramid, the majority of servings should come from grains, followed closely by milk, then by vegetables and fruits. Meat and beans should be lean and varied. Fats, sugars, and salt should be consumed sparingly.

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food pyramid,

n graphic issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services that details recommendations for a balanced diet. Through the illustration of a triangle, it labels daily food choices according to recommended frequency of ingestion. Includes daily serving quantities for bread, rice, and cereal (6–11 servings daily); fruit (2–4 servings daily); vegetables (3–5 servings daily); dairy (2–3 servings daily); meats (2–3 servings daily); and fats, oils, and sweets (use sparingly).

Food pyramid.

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food pyramid

Nutrition A schematic guideline for ratios of food types that should be consumed daily in a healthy diet; at the base of the pyramid are carbohydrates, followed by fruits and vegetables, dairy products, protein foods; at the pyramid's peak are 'discouraged' foods, to be eaten sparingly–eg, fats, oils, refined sugars. Cf Fast food, Four food groups, Exercise pyramid, Five food groups, Mediterranean pyramid.