Make Half of Each Meal Fruits-&-Vegetables! What about Bread?

You're looking at the old pyramid. I think they've created a different one now. Anyway, if half of every meal is fruits and vegetables, that leaves plenty of room for grains - half of your plate, as a matter of fact. Meat should only be a portion of that. Breads as we know them have been processed to the point that they are of no value as food. For the vitamins and minerals we need from them, we have to eat whole grains. That includes things like brown rice, oats and barley. Some nutritionists say we don't need grains of any kind, but others say we do. We humans have eaten them for thousands of years, but we've never eaten grains without the endosperm (the life of grain- the part that grows into a new plant).

I think every where is different. Here in Mexico they tell us veggies and more veggies. And to stay away from the breads here.

I like a bread that is made from wholemeal flour and it is rich in healthy seeds. I don't like its crusts. I cut the crusts off and have four slices of it in a vegetable soup. Alternatively I have a salad sandwich with it. That is a healthy eating choice especially if I add a row of nuts around my plate. It is helpful to have a fruity pudding. I eat a strict vegan diet and I have lots of vegetables and fruits in my diet. In my home country the advice is to eat five portions of vegetables and fruits a day. I think wholemeal brown bread is healthy. White bread lacks vitamins. I need to have soya products to get calcium. I eat the nuts to get protein.

I looked at the different "food prymainds" that they have out now.. I see the reason why you are so confused.. I was searching on the internet just for a couple mintues.. I am not sure what is "right" for most people.. I know that within the grains/breads group is where you find fiber.. Which is extremely important; this helps with keeping us regular.. When we are not bacteria can form within our bodies causing lots of problems.. So I go by moderation and quality of the food versus quanity.. Each person is bulit differently; health factors that can either be hinder or helped by what we eat.. There are certain foods that I avoid or eat very little of because of heart diease.. I am healthy but it is in my family... Then I have issues with my bones, joints, so I eat more fish then any other meat.. Then I eat asparagus in partiucaler; it is a natural ibrofen.. Helps with the swelling and pain.. My motto is see food and eat it in moderation.. But I am not bulit like everyone else.. Each person has to find a diet that is healthy for them. With foods that they are willing to eat on a regular basis.. And most importantly be able to afford.. The food that are aim for heart healthy for example; is more expensive then others.. Like a can of beef stew.. There is the normal kind; about 80 cents a can and then the heart healthy can costs about a $1.20; so it is a balancing act.. Which many can not stick with for one reason or the other or all of the above.. Then its a whole different situation if you are preparing meals for more then on person.. Which can be a mess; I know I use to do this..lol

Oh, they must be going based on the new food plate that the USDA introduced last year. It says that half the plate should be fruits and veggies, with the other half split between grains and protein and a serving of dairy off to the side. The old school food pyramid from the 90's was revamped in 2005, and they retired the new version when they brought out the plate. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/02/food-pyramid-usda_n_870375.html

Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well information provided regarding the food habits has always been misleading and it is very confusing to choose a particular alternative as such. In my opinion, we should have all types of food and not necessarily fruits and vegetables only. This is because that is the only way we can get nutrition in proper amounts for our body. I think we should not get confused regarding this and have proper meals every time. What say?

Don't just listen to the TV said, we can take those we like for dinner and add fruits and vesgetables after meal.

Fruits and vegetables have to be more. The food pyramid is OLD story. Bread, rice are just carb! To be healthy, eat more fruits and vegetables. You don't even need to eat bread/rice/pasta. Fruits and veggies also contains carb, protein, and has more vitamins and minerals. Balance diet: protein (meat and fish), fruits and vegetables. Lots of people have proof that drinking juice/smothie, from fruits and vegetables can cure so many disease! Go back to the nature is the best.