Your Pyramid

Everyone has heard of the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid, but how many of us know that there has been a recent revamping of its format? The "old" Food Guide Pyramid was arranged in serving within the 5 specific food groups (Meat, Dairy, Vegetables, Fruits, and Grains) as well as fats and oils. These serving were of different sizes for every group and hard for many to remember. The new format is much more "user friendly" and now includes specific amounts within the food groups. Food amounts are now represented in either cups, teaspoons or ounces needed per day. These amounts differ for males and females and are also broken down into three age categories.

The new guidelines are as follows:
Meats & Beans
Male: 6.5 ounces (ages 19-30), 6.0 ounces (ages 31-50), 5.5 ounces (ages 51+)
Female: 5.5 ounces (ages 19-30), 5.0 ounces (ages 31-50), 5.0 ounces (ages 50+)

Grains
Male: 8 ounces (ages 19-30), 7 ounces (ages 31-50), 6 ounces (ages 51+)
Female: 6 ounces (ages 19-30), 6 ounces (ages 31-50), 5 ounces (ages 51+)

Vegetables
Male: 3 cups (ages 19-30), 3 cups (ages 31-50), 2 cups (ages 51+)
Female: 2.5 cups (ages 19-30), 2.5 cups (ages 31-50), 2 cups (ages 51+)

Fruits
Male: 2 cups (ALL AGES)
Female: 2 cups (19-30), 1.5 cups (31-50), 1.5 cups (51+)

Dairy
Male: 3 cups (ALL AGES)
Female: 3 cups (ALL AGES)

Fats and Oils
Male: 7 teaspoons (ages 19-30), 6 teaspoons (ages 31-50), 6 teaspoons (age 51+)
Female: 6 teaspoons (ages 19-30), 5 teaspoons (ages 31-50), 5 teaspoons (ages 51+)

This new pyramid format also comes with an entirely new interactive website which is full of great tools to help you not only learn more about proper nutrition through every stage of life but also helps you customize your eating plans and track your progress through changes.
All this can be found at http://www.mypyramid.gov/