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Explore the USDA Food Pyramid

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated: February 11, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

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The Next Steps of the USDA Food Pyramid - Dairy and Proteins

iStockphoto.comPhoto © Ty Smith
The next step of the USDA Food Pyramidis made up of dairy products and then the protein group of lean meat, poultry, legumes, and fish. These foods are important for proteins which are needed for structural components of our bodies. Dairy products are also important as a source for calcium.

The Harvard Healthy Eating Pyramid

The top of the Healthy Eating Pyramid suggests that we eat red meat, sweets, starches, white breads and pastas all only sparingly. It also allows much larger portions of healthy vegetable oils like flax oil, olive oil, and walnut oil, plus the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil.

The Michigan Healing Foods Pyramid

The top of the Healing Pyramid allows us to indulge in healthy treats once per week. It includes chocolates, which have healing anti-oxidants, red wine which has resveratrol, and also suggests tea as a healthy beverage. I like this part of the pyramid.

It is important to know that white bread and pastas behave very much like sugar when we consume them. Almost all of our grain products should be whole grain products.

Next: A healthy, balanced diet.

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