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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #165581
Title: HEALTHFUL POTENTIAL OF GRAINS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND THE FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID

Author
item Kahlon, Talwinder
item Smith, Gordon

Submitted to: Cereal Foods World
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2004
Publication Date: 9/1/2004
Citation: T.S. Kahlon, G.E. Smith. 2004. Health Benefits of Grain, Fruits and Vegetables and the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. 49:288-291.

Interpretive Summary: Regular consumption of whole grains, fresh fruits and deeply colored vegetables has been associated with maintaining ideal body weight, healthy bowel function and lowered risk of degenerative diseases. The American population needs to increase the consumption of grains, fruits and vegetables by 20-25% to meet the requirement of a healthy diet. The 2005 revised USDA Food Guide Pyramid needs to build on the current pyramid, but consider the needs of people of different ages and at different activity levels and use specific measurements like cups or ounces instead of servings.

Technical Abstract: Regular consumption of whole grains, fresh fruits and deeply colored vegetables has been associated with maintaining ideal body weight, healthy bowel function and lowered risk of degenerative diseases. Grains are the dominant portion of the Food Guide Pyramid and should provide 60% of the calories, mainly as complex carbohydrates, and some protein and fat. The American population needs to increase the consumption of grains, fruits and vegetables by 20-25% to meet the requirement of a healthy diet. The revised USDA Food Guide Pyramid needs to build on the current pyramid, but consider the needs of people of different ages and at different activity levels and use of specific measurements like cups or ounces instead of servings.