A food pyramid is a graphic representation of the food groups that are recommended to be consumed to a greater or lesser extent.
The term pyramid comes from the Latin word pyrămis , in turn derived from the Greek pyramís . The first meaning of the concept mentioned by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) in its dictionary refers to the geometric body that has a polygon as a base and that has triangular faces that meet at the same point (the vertex).
The name pyramid also refers to a graphic representation that takes this form. Pyramid charts are often used to show a certain distribution of elements .
What is a food pyramid
From these ideas , we can focus on the definition of a food pyramid , also known as a nutritional pyramid or food pyramid . This is a scheme that represents the amount of the various food groups that are recommended to be consumed on a daily basis to maintain a healthy diet .
Before moving forward, it is important to indicate that the adjective food (and its feminine form, alimentary ) qualifies that which is linked to food : that is, to the substances that a living being ingests for its subsistence. Furthermore, we must take into account the idea of nutrition , which refers to the repair through nutrition of what was lost due to the catabolic actions of the body.
The food pyramid, in short, indicates the proportion of different foods that the human body requires to maintain health . In this way, it indicates what levels of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc., are needed daily.
The food pyramid can help establish a healthy diet.
Origins and evolution
The food pyramid emerged around the 1970s . However, it is important to know that there is not a single food pyramid model , but rather there are multiple versions.
It should also be mentioned that several representations often receive criticism . In many cases, the pressure exerted by the food industry to influence the formation of the graph is denounced. At the same time, there are debates about the lack of precision regarding the recommended rations for each group.
Another issue to consider is that nutrition precepts change over time, due to new studies and discoveries. These updates have their correlation in the distribution of food in the food pyramid.
Interpretation of the food pyramid
Beyond the differences between each graph, all food pyramids are constructed in a similar way. At the base (that is, in the largest sector), are the healthy foods that should be consumed more frequently. At the higher levels, those whose intake is not recommended by nutritionists are successively positioned, leaving those least suitable for health at the top.
Sometimes, food is not included in the base, but rather lifestyle suggestions are detailed (physical activity, hydration , cooking techniques). As for the foods themselves, in the lower sectors are vegetables , fruits and carbohydrates .
Then, moving up the food pyramid, sausages , red meats and finally foods with high levels of sugar and fat appear.