The Nutrient Profiling Scandal: Are We Being Fed Lies in the Name of Health?
Hey folks, have you heard about the new food pyramid that’s been making waves in the nutrition world? I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “Another food pyramid? Yawn.” But trust me, this one is different. It’s being touted as the most comprehensive and science-based nutrient profiling system to date. And I’ve got to say, some of the findings are a little… unexpected, to say the least.
Are you ready for this? According to this new pyramid, Lucky Charms cereal is healthier than steak. Yes, you read that right. Lucky Charms receives a 60 while ground beef is at a 26. Beef Steak ranked a little above 30 on the chart, which means both beef items received half the score of Lucky Charms. And get this, chocolate covered almonds received a 78 and should “be encouraged” in someone’s diet.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “This is ridiculous! How can a bowl of sugary cereal be healthier than a nice, juicy steak? It’s a sham!” And I totally get where you’re coming from. But here’s the thing, this new pyramid is based on a new nutrient profiling system that takes into account not just the macronutrients (like protein, fat, and carbs) but also micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals) in our food. And apparently, Lucky Charms is just chock full of those micronutrients. Who knew?
But here’s the real kicker, this new food pyramid is being presented at the White House conference on nutrition, health and hunger in America, which means it’s going to have a big impact on the food that kids eat day to day at school, and also on average people’s views of nutrition. This is concerning, considering that a simple chart like this one cannot be overlooked. Something is causing us to be sicker than ever before in history, and the food we eat labeled “good for us” by others seems to be at the forefront of it.
Now, I’m not saying that we should all start eating bowls of Lucky Charms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (although, let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to do that?) But I am saying that we should be asking ourselves “are these recommendations truly for our benefit or someone else’s?” This new food pyramid is causing a lot of confusion and it’s important for us to be informed and question things that may seem too good to be true.
In conclusion, the new food pyramid is raising some questions and concerns, and it’s important to be informed, question things and not take everything on face value. We should all make our own choices based on our own needs and preferences, and have a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. And remember, if you’re going to eat cereal for breakfast, make sure it’s not only the sugary one, it’s better to have a balance of whole grains and fruits in there.
Source: Ortenzi, F., Kolby, M., Lawrence, M., Leroy, F., Nordhagen, S., Phillips, S., … Beal, T. (2022, February 18). Limitations of the Food Compass Nutrient Profiling System. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/eu578