Pyramids Aplenty
Have you all seen your food pyramid yet?
"What the hell is he going on about now?" sayeth you, loyal reader.
No, really. The food pyramid! The disastrous looking thing put forth by the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Alright - so maybe 'disastrous' is a bit harsh. The idea behind this thing is really an attempt by the government to promote healthy eating and in the process, maybe help stem the obesity crisis that many nutrition experts say our country is facing. Based on the small amount I've seen thus far, it actually looks - from a purely educational standpoint at least - that a lot of effort and knowledge went into it. But that pyramid... God, what an ugly and convoluted way of conveying the breakup of proper nutrition. Talk about Dark Side of the Moon - I think Pink Floyd could sue for having their cover art filched...OK - so that's a stretch too, but it is pretty heinous.
(By the way, one of you suggested something from Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' as a download in the 'What I'm Listening To:' section on the sidebar. I haven't forgotten about you. It's just that I'm not listening to The Wall at the moment. I will be in a couple of days though, I promise, and then I'll make the track available for download. Which track? Well.... I won't mention names, but it's inititals are "Run Like Hell.")
Anyway, I took the liberty of entering my vitals - age (29), height (5'8"), weight (150 lb), daily exercise (NOTHING!!! - but I walk a lot and carry lots of heavy computer boxes at work - still...... nothing, I know) and this is what it spit back:
Still, I'm going to play around with this. I actually signed up for the "My Pyramid Tracker" which allows you to enter what you eat during the day and then it will assess your food intake as well as your physical activity (not much to assess there - I'm not DOING ANY!!! Look at me. I'm such a rebel. Aren't I cool.) The pyramid isn't supposed to cast judgement either way. It just tells you what someone of your age and build should be consuming - which may very well mean that I'm undereating. A growing lad like me needs his vitamins and minerals, you know. Still, if I suddenly start to balloon in the coming weeks - feel free to stop me.
To close, I feel I should mention two things:
The first, is that I ate at Blue Ribbon BBQ last night. If you haven't been, I strongly recommend you try it. The best barbeque in Eastern Massachusetts (although some Redbones aficionados may disagree.) They offer a simple, yet delicious menu which is constantly rated the best by Zagat's and other restaurant guides. Go hungry. I had the Red Hot Smoked Sausage, which was probably fried in lard, and came with sides of baked beans and slaw.
Secondly - in an effort to continue the trend of healthy discussion, go get yourself a free candy bar on Hershey's. If you're reading this post today (5/5 - by the way, did you realize today was 05/05/05? Pretty nifty, eh?) click on the link and fill out the form for a free coupon. Thanks to Chris S. for pointing this one out. Happy munchies.
"What the hell is he going on about now?" sayeth you, loyal reader.
No, really. The food pyramid! The disastrous looking thing put forth by the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Alright - so maybe 'disastrous' is a bit harsh. The idea behind this thing is really an attempt by the government to promote healthy eating and in the process, maybe help stem the obesity crisis that many nutrition experts say our country is facing. Based on the small amount I've seen thus far, it actually looks - from a purely educational standpoint at least - that a lot of effort and knowledge went into it. But that pyramid... God, what an ugly and convoluted way of conveying the breakup of proper nutrition. Talk about Dark Side of the Moon - I think Pink Floyd could sue for having their cover art filched...OK - so that's a stretch too, but it is pretty heinous.
(By the way, one of you suggested something from Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' as a download in the 'What I'm Listening To:' section on the sidebar. I haven't forgotten about you. It's just that I'm not listening to The Wall at the moment. I will be in a couple of days though, I promise, and then I'll make the track available for download. Which track? Well.... I won't mention names, but it's inititals are "Run Like Hell.")
Anyway, I took the liberty of entering my vitals - age (29), height (5'8"), weight (150 lb), daily exercise (NOTHING!!! - but I walk a lot and carry lots of heavy computer boxes at work - still...... nothing, I know) and this is what it spit back:
- 8 ounces of grains (subdivided into whole and refined - whole is recommended)
- 3 cups of vegetables (with special emphasis on those of dark green and orange colors)
- 2 cups of fruit (Any fruit counts but go easy on the fruit juices)
- 3 cups of milk (low-fat or fat free)
- 6.5 ounces of meat & beans (baked, broiled or grilled - not fried. Variety is key.)
Still, I'm going to play around with this. I actually signed up for the "My Pyramid Tracker" which allows you to enter what you eat during the day and then it will assess your food intake as well as your physical activity (not much to assess there - I'm not DOING ANY!!! Look at me. I'm such a rebel. Aren't I cool.) The pyramid isn't supposed to cast judgement either way. It just tells you what someone of your age and build should be consuming - which may very well mean that I'm undereating. A growing lad like me needs his vitamins and minerals, you know. Still, if I suddenly start to balloon in the coming weeks - feel free to stop me.
To close, I feel I should mention two things:
The first, is that I ate at Blue Ribbon BBQ last night. If you haven't been, I strongly recommend you try it. The best barbeque in Eastern Massachusetts (although some Redbones aficionados may disagree.) They offer a simple, yet delicious menu which is constantly rated the best by Zagat's and other restaurant guides. Go hungry. I had the Red Hot Smoked Sausage, which was probably fried in lard, and came with sides of baked beans and slaw.
Secondly - in an effort to continue the trend of healthy discussion, go get yourself a free candy bar on Hershey's. If you're reading this post today (5/5 - by the way, did you realize today was 05/05/05? Pretty nifty, eh?) click on the link and fill out the form for a free coupon. Thanks to Chris S. for pointing this one out. Happy munchies.
posted by Eric at 11:26 AM
2 Comments:
Dude, you think too much. Way too much. But that's not always a bad thing. More often then not it tends to be.
And you know what... I had noticed it was 05/05/05 yesterday....that would have been cool if I had at 05:05:05 AM/PM. The world might have stopped or something.
Back to to food thing. I'm sure if you talk to your roomie about it he'll explain better than I ever could, but the list that is provided there by the FDA to stop our overly obese society is actually...wait don't cringe..."H E A L T H L Y" not like the fast food that we usually eat twice a day that is 30-50% calories from fat. Not that it matters either.
Catch you later. Bobbyd (c;
How do you remember the pyramid from elementary school? It was introduced only a few weeks ago? Perhaps your thinking of the four daily food groups o r something? Maybe those "junior consumer tips from the Better Business bureau?"
"Abominable, what ARE you doing?"
"Balancing my meal! Do doo do do do do"
Alright - I've lost it... clearly. And Mark Knopfler is the former lead singer of Dire Straits. Sailing to Philadelphia is his solo album for either '00 or '01. What It Is is the 1st track off the album and a dandy. Click the link to download it.
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