I don’t when it happened, but a few years ago I noticed that the number of calories cited under the Nutrition Facts on food packaging had changed. I remembered it being this:

“Percentage Daily Values are based on a 1,500 [to 2,000] calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.”

Now the calorie range is 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day. Who needs 2,500 calories? Knowing that a third of the American population is overweight, it seems that the 2,000-2,500 range covertly reinforces obesity. It makes it seem like eating 2,500 calories a day is normal.

In Eat, Drink and Be Healthy, Dr. Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health points out the educational opportunity the United States Department of Agriculture has missed regarding the redesign of the Food Pyramid found in the Nutrition Information required on all food packaging. When the Pyramid was redesigned in 2005, it became a multicolored pyramid which leaves the viewer confused as to what each color represents. If you were to research it at that time, the USDA pyramid was explained as such: “It included six food groups . . . At the foundation sat an admonition to load up on highly refined starches, while the top was was crowned with fats, oils, and sweets. In between were fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy.” (Willett)

Today, when I look on packaging, I don’t find any type of food pyramid but I do find the increased caloric guidelines.

Willett’s book was a match for me because it thoroughly explains nutrition and highlights many of the dietary myths circulating in our culture. He also presents his own food pyramid. Besides being a great instructional tool for children, it seems that seeing a pyramid like this on food packaging would be better than the 2005 USDA pyramid. Note that the foundation of a healthy eating pyramid is exercise. Wouldn’t exercise be much better to reinforce instead of a 2,500 daily calorie intake?

The Harvard Public School of Health website provides a wealth of solid nutritional information to help teach and reinforce a healthy lifestyle.

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