Diet and Nutrition: comparing different food guide graphics to the USDA one

Food Guide Graphics Background 

Food guide graphics according to Martinez et al. (2015) are representations of the adopted nutrition based approaches that are aimed at sensitizing and educating the members of the public and industry players on the essential nutritional requirements. Similarly, food-guide graphics are intended to offer healthy food plans and practices based on the resources that are available in a country in addition to the specific health concerns of a specific country, for instance the high cases of obesity and chronic degenerative diseases caused by the consumption of too much fatty in the United States (Martinez et al., 2015). 

Food guides graphics in the US were represented in the form of pyramids until recently, when the food plate graphic representation was adopted (Martinez et al., 2015). The pyramid and food plate are partitioned into the five major food groups encompassing, grains, vegetables, proteins and fats. The plates on the other hand are a simulation of a pie chart, represented in the form of a plate. These food groups are arranged with the least essential, and consequently the option with recommended small or no servings per meal, at the top of the pyramid; in the case of the food plate, the portions are elaborately indicated as portions on the plates with color representation of the food groups. The food groups with the most essential nutritional needs for the population are placed at the bottom of the pyramid, delineating that they should be consumed in the larger portions. 

The USDA food guide is constructed by a team of research professionals garnered from the Department of Agriculture in addition to those from the Department of Health and Human Services (Baker, 2016). Objections to the USDA food guide policies have been raised with critics claiming that the USDA policy guidelines are influenced by the food industry players, in addition to the government’s promotion of farm products in a bid to boost farming (Baker, 2016). This is supported by the fact that the government notably recommends grains that are not only highly processed, but additionally linked to the occurrence of obesity among consumers (Baker, 2016). 

Food Guide Graphics Choice and Comparison 

The Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School collaborated in the formulation of their food guide graphic, named “healthy eating plate” to rival what they delineate as USDA’s politicized and commercialized food guide graphic, which is “my plate” (Harvard, 2018). “Healthy eating plate” is more detailed from the onset, with the various portions and recommended meals and foods per food group clearly and elaborately displayed on the plat. The plate recommends healthy physical activities and practices that are designed to aid the population to maintain healthier lifestyles. A notable difference between “my plate” and “healthy eating plate” is the former’s recommendation of dairy products during every meal, which critics argue is not backed by any factual evidence delineating to the nutritional advantages derived from the consumption of the dairy products. Furthermore, “healthy eating plate” indicates the need for specific kinds of food groups with less emphasis put on red meat and meat high in fats and more emphasis placed on lean meat products. 

Australia’s “guide to healthy eating” exhibits stack differences in the proportions of proteins and vegetables and fruits as compared to “my plate”. The chart adopted depicts high consumption of both grains and vegetables, in the same proportions, both considerably large. Food choice recommendations depict a significant number of processed foods, given the overall dissent to the consumption of processed foods by a myriad of practitioners. The chart puts considerably less emphasis on fruits and physical exercise even though the essence of consumption of white and lean meat is highlighted in the chart. Additionally, the chart puts emphasis on the consumption of a variety of dairy products, occupying a significant portion of the chart, equal to the animal protein recommendations. 

The “my plate” food guide graphic might seem reliable, meticulously researched on and developed. However, it does not comprehensively tackle the global and national health and nutritional issues that the government in conjunction with international bodies of the United Nations intended to address. On the contrary, Harvard’s (2018) “healthy eating plate” provides a comprehensive yet achievable plan, which provides daily nutritional advice on both physical activity and selections of healthy foods among the selected food groups. 

Reasoning for Choice of Food Guide Graphic 

The choice of food intake should a result of well thought decisions based on personal calories intake in addition to specific physical conditions that affect an individual (Martinez et al, 2015). Additionally, universal health standards do recommend specific intake targets and requirements for individuals to ensure that they evade chronic food related conditions and lifestyle diseases (Martinez et al., 2015). With these imperative factors in consideration, it is therefore common in most food guide graphic to note specific recommended foods in all food groups due to the nutritional value they offer. Additionally, foods such as red meat and fats, excessive consumption of dairy products in addition to processed grains and starch should be generally discouraged. This is due to the high levels of cholesterol in the foods in addition to high calories level which have resulted in the prevalence of cases of obesity among the population (Martinez et al., 2015). My usual diet is sensitive to both recommended food intake requirements in addition to personal nutritional requirement and health goals considerations. 

Daily Dietary and Exercise Plan 

Selection of the Best Food Guide Graphic 

Personal food choices should be made with regard to the daily calories requirements of an individual. This is formulated with regard to an individual’s level of activity, stress and occupation, in addition to various health factors that have to be considered, for instance allergies. Furthermore, personal food choices highly depend on geographical location and resource availability of the food choices of an individual, based on where they live and their disposable income (Martinez et al, 2015). 

Good personal food choices are therefore an ingenious collaboration of basic nutritional requirements, and individual, body specific requirements which are vital factors to consider for an individual to be able to formulate a good plan. Food guide graphics do provide basic nutritional requirement guides which are vital is establishing the healthy bodily requirements that are vital in maintaining optimal functionality. The “healthy eating plate” specifically and comprehensively addresses common and vital concerns, which are often the basis of the formulation of a food guide. 

Grocery stores in addition to whole-sale stores and farmer’s markets provide fresh vegetable, fruits and cereals which are vital in ensuring that the body achieves the daily fiber and mineral requirements, or objectives (Martinez et al, 2015). Furthermore, supermarkets provide outlets for the purchase of a myriad of types of animal protein ranging from various types of meat to dairy products. 

Examples of How Good Nutrition can Affect Your Body Processes 

The consumption of recommended amounts of water on a daily basis ensures that the rate of metabolism of the body is optimum to ensure the regular production of energy, which is vital for basis biological processes. 

Similarly, engaging in physical exercises for instance running, walking, bike riding, and weight training in addition to a myriad of other physical exercise ensures that excess water and minerals in the body are excreted. 

Consumption of cereals and grains on a daily basis for instance regular consumption of rice, corn products, wheat and barley products, ensures that the body meets the fiber and roughages requirements. This aids in ensuring there is proper digestion of food, and proper excretion, hence aiding in homeostasis. 

Eating a fruit for breakfast, lunch and supper is an ideal way of ensuring that an individual is able to achieve the daily fruit consumption requirements. In addition to boosting immunity, a good majority of fruits are reveled to provide the body with quickly manufactured energy seeing as fruits are easily metabolized into energy. 

If for instance, an individual regularly consumes red meat and food high in fats such as butter, the individual is prone to chronic illnesses as a result of consumption of too much cholesterol and fats. Consumption of lean meat on the other hand ensures that daily protein requirements are met in addition to the avoiding the consumption of too much fat and cholesterol. 

Consumption of kales, lettuce, broccoli, spinach in addition to an array of vegetables that are available locally is vital in ensuring that an individual acquires most, if not all, of the vitamin requirements of the body. 

References 

Martinez, B., Yanet, A. Ojeda, G., Fabiola, Y. & Vizmanos, B. (2015). A Review of the Geographical Representations Used in the Dietary Guidelines of the Selected Countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Retrieved form http://www.aulamedica.es/nh/pdf/9362.pdf 

Harvard T.H. Chan (2018). Healthy Eating Plate vs. USDA’s My Plate. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate-vs-usda-myplate/ 

Eat for Health (2018). Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Retrieved from https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating