Fitness... Full Circle: Why Do We Trust Government Dietary Guidelines?

In 1992 the USDA came out with a food pyramid to serve as a guideline for proper nutrition. That pyramid has since been revised a few times. This week I learned some things about the USDA and about that pyramid that are glaring examples of why we should never take "recommendations" from government agencies as the whole, entire truth when it comes to our health.

I looked up the purpose of the USDA. What is that agency supposed to be doing? Judging by the fact they publish information about how we should be eating that our government endorses, you might think their interest is in better health for Americans. Here's the vision statement from usda.gov:

To expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

The USDA is obviously first concerned with the economic health of agriculture, supporting the ag and food industries. Can you imagine how susceptible it is to the influence of people and organizations who are concerned more about profit than the health of the American people? Why the heck did our US government turn to them to create a guideline for how we should eat to be published and endorsed by our "leaders"?

Louise Light

Luise Light is a woman who was the leader of the team of nutritionists that designed the food pyramid for the USDA. The design originally submitted by these people who were experts in the field of nutrition for use in the pyramid was modified beyond recognition before it was finally published as the official food pyramid by the USDA.

The modifications were due to interference by food industry giants. Alterations were made to wording and serving quantities in order to placate lobbyists of the dairy, meat and wheat growers. Some of the alterations were made specifically so as not to harm the sales of processed foods.

In addition, the government food assistance program was taken into consideration. Our government provides financial assistance to people who are below a certain income level to help them buy food for their families. They had to be careful to not make dietary recommendations beyond which they were willing to subsidize on a financial level.

Many agencies that are supposed to have OUR best interest at heart, publishing recommendations and protecting us from harmful practices by profitable companies are, in fact, being funded and supported by those VERY SAME companies! "Big Food" (money) is driving our nation's leaders. Big surprise?

Please don't take my word for any of this. Check out the sources I used and decide for yourself: