For the last couple decades and counting, the USDA has thrown us into a tailspin with their Food Pyramid.
“Low-Fat, Fat-Free, High-Carb”, went the mantra. And up went our waistlines, and chronic diseases right along with them. You’ve seen the pyramid. It looks something like this:
Breads, pastas, cereals, crackers, etc. make up the broad foundation of the pyramid. Now, I know we have the benefit of hindsight, but even the most rudimentary understanding of nutrition had to clue you in that something was amiss.
Fortunately, we’ve grown in our understanding of refined carbs and grains, and their affect on the body. Particularly from an imflammatory standpoint. Two great reads on this subject are Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis and Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter. Either will give you a clear understanding of the potential catastrophe that we set ourselves up for when we consume even moderate amounts of processed grains.
A healthier pyramid might look something like this:
As it turns out, fats (at least the right ones) are not so much the culprits in inflammatory disease as refined grains and other simple carbs are. Healthy fats from food sources such as avocados, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and naturally sourced fish and meats are essential to a healthy body. And ironically, they can actually aid in the loss of body fat when coupled with a reduction in refined carb consumption.
