Food Guide Pyramid  Developed by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)  A guide for making healthy food choices  Recently redesigned  Alternative food guides are available (Harvard, AHA, etc.)

Which is easier to understand? Steps to a Healthier You

The AHA Pyramid

What influences your food choices?  Sensory appeal – way they look, feel, smell, taste  Geography – where you are in the world  Cultural and family background  Advertising

What are nutrients?  Substances in foods that your body needs to be able to grow, have energy, or stay healthy  Different foods have different amounts of nutrients  Foods high in sugars and fats are generally low in other nutrients

What are calories?  Units of heat that measure the energy available in foods  High calorie diet usually results in weight gain and other health problems  Less calories plus exercise will help you lose weight  Most of you need around 2000 calories per day  It takes about 3500 calories to make one pound

What are the 6 types of nutrients?

What is a portion size? The amount of food one chooses to eat.

What is a serving size? A standard amount that gives guidance on how much to eat.

Serving Sizes

Portion Vs. Serving

Americans Are Eating More more than 200 calories per day weight gain increase in per capita consumption Source:Nestle, 2002

Introduction of Larger Portion Sizes Number of Larger Portion Sizes Introduced Source:Young and Nestle, 2002

Introduction of Larger Portion Sizes

Supersizing

Supersizing

Supersizing

Supersizing 1610 Calories 63 gm fat

Prevalence of Obesity Among US Adults Source:JAMA, 2002 Percent

Prevalence of Overweight Among U.S. Children and Adolescents Source:JAMA, 2002 Percent

Health Implications for Children increased LDL cholesterol decreased HDL cholesterol increased triglycerides atherosclerotic plaques hypertension increased type 2 diabetes sleep apnea orthopedic problems

Portion Sizes in Schools Typical a la carte lunch: fruit drink, cheese pizza and fries = 1,060 calories

Portion Sizes in Schools Potential increase in body weight when eating TWO servings of oven fries/week for 36 weeks in addition to the school lunch that provides  of the RDA for calories. Serving Size Potential Weight Gain 1/2 cup 1 cup 1 1/2 cup 2.3 pounds 4.5 pounds 7.0 pounds

 There is a direct link between good nutrition and the ability to learn, play, grow and develop.  Well nourished children have higher test scores, better school attendance and fewer behavioral problems. Schools are important environments that impact children’s nutritional intake. Schools Can Make a Difference

What can families do? Prepare and eat more meals at home. We all tend to eat larger portions when we eat out.

What can families do? Help children learn what a serving looks like. For example, measure cereal in the child's bowl and discuss that a bowl of cereal and a serving of cereal can be different.

What can families do? Package snack items in individual servings.

What can families do? Provide healthy food in appropriate portion sizes and let children decide how much they will eat and help them learn to stop when full.

What can families do? When eating out, avoid all-you-can eat buffets, supersized meals and other deals that promote overeating.

What can families do? Share restaurant meals or take part of the meal home.