The USDA and public health advocates recognize that Americans are eating too much fat and sugar, and too few fruits and vegetables. The Food Guide Pyramid recommends eating several times more servings of fruits & vegetables than meat, yet the government pours much more funding into farming livestock than growing fresh produce.

A new food guide pyramid, based on traditional Latin American foods, from the group that created The Mediterranean Diet.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed a brand-new Food Guide Pyramid. The original pyramid was unveiled in 1992, and after more than a decade of rapidly rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, they figured it was time to make a few changes.

New healthful-foods guide includes chocolate, alcohol, tea

MyPyramid, released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 19, 2005, is an update on the ubiquitous U.S. food guide pyramid. The new icon stresses activity and moderation along with a proper mix of food groups in one's diet. As part of the MyPyramid food guidance system, consumers are asked to visit the MyPyramid website for personalized nutrition information. Significant changes from the previous food pyramid include:It measures quantities in cups and ounces instead of "servings".It includes a new symbol - a person on the stairs, representing physical activity.MyPyramid was designed to educate consumers about a lifestyle consistent with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, an 80-page document released in January 2005. The guidelines, produced jointly by the USDA and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), represent the Federal nutrition policy.