One of the most basic principles we are taught is the food pyramid. I must admit that prior to researching it recently I knew very little of what it actually entailed specifically. To be honest, I didn't even know that they had changed the look of the food pyramid from what I remember it to be in Elementary school. Oops! When I think about well-balanced I think of the food pyramid. So I decided to do a little bit of research and I found this nifty little web site called MyPyramid. Let me tell you, this is a cool website!!! It has everything you need from meal plans to a break down of the pyramid for everyone you can imagine. It even has information for what your preschooler needs and what I need as a nursing mother. I was even able to print off the pyramid so I could post it on my fridge. I would definitely take a look at it!
If however, you have no interest in looking (and that's okay by me) then I would love to tell you a little bit about what I learned while researching. Each day this week I will be posting a little bit about what I found because it is too much to cover all in one day!
According to the food pyramid-your body on a daily basis needs
For the general public- (Based on a 2000 calorie diet)
Grains: 6 oz
Vegetables: 2 1/2 cups
Fruits: 2 cups
Milk: 3 cups
Meat and Bean: 5 1/2 oz.
This is also different if you are breastfeeding or pregnant, or a child. Just for the pure fact that I am nursing I am going to put up the information I found out about breastfeeding.
For the 1st six months of breastfeeding: (Based on a 2600 calorie diet)
Grains: 9 oz
Vegetables: 3 1/2 Cups
Fruits: 2 cups
Milk: 3 cups
Meat and Beans: 6 1/2 oz
For the 2nd six months of breastfeeding: (Based on a 28oo calorie diet)
Grains: 10 oz
Vegetables: 3 1/2 cups
Fruits: 2 1/2 cups
Milk: 3 cups
Meats and Beans: 7 oz
*These numbers are based on maintaing weight rather then loosing weight. If you would like to know what the numbers would be if you are trying to loose weight based on your height and weights click here.
Follow up tomorrow for tips for each food group!
