How to Lose Weight Fast using the USDA food pyramid
The food pyramid was originally designed by the USDA many decades ago. It was provided as a way for people to learn how to choose a variety of foods to create a well-balanced meal plan.
The Food Groups
The USDA food pyramid consists of the following food groups:
Proteins-It is recommended that you only consume a few ounces per day of both meats and beans in order to meet your daily protein requirements. When choosing meats, the leanest cuts are best.
When selecting beans, you have a variety of options to choose from and the best way to consume them would be cooked whole. Nuts and seeds also fall in this category.
Calcium-This is usually found in dairy products such as milk and cheese, or sour cream and yogurt. When selecting dairy products (particularly the cheese and milk) choose the lowest fat varieties possible. This will keep your cholesterol down.
Fruits-It is best to eat a variety of fruits of different colors. This will ensure you achieve your goal of consuming all the nutrients you need in a day.
The best course are the raw fruits which sometimes can be blended fresh and whole with the skin still on. Use processed juices minimally because they contain more empty calories.
Vegetables-Ideally, you need a variety of starchy (for example corn, peas, or potatoes) and non-starchy vegetables (for example spinach, carrots, kale, and broccoli) in your system.
Try to consume ones of every color daily as much as possible. This will help keep your immune system as well as your digestive system working right and you will remain regular.
Grains-Consumption of about 3 ounces of this food a day helps you take in the fiber you need daily. The whole grain varieties are the best. Stay away from white breads, pastas, and pastries. Look for whole wheat or multigrain breads, cereals, and noodles.
Extras
Fats-The use of unsaturated varieties are most recommended. Olive and other nut and vegetable oils are on the top of the list.
Butter, shortening, and some versions of lard and margarine are on the bottom of the list. Perhaps a happy medium is some of the soft spreads that have even been used nowadays as baking substitutes.
Sugars-You are advised to find the ones that are the least refined as possible. For instance, instead of the white process sugar try the pure cane sugar. You should also consider using honey, stevia, or other sugar alternatives instead of white sugar.
Salts-Sea salts and natural spices are the best sources of flavorings to use when making your meals. Stay away from the more refined varieties and keep use of processed foods to a minimum.
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