How does the Mediterranean Pyramid differ from USDA Food Guide Pyramid?
• Both pyramids recommend eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but the Greeks ate very little red meat, and, they consumed far more plant foods – averaging nine servings a day of antioxidant-rich vegetables. • The Greeks ate cold water fish several times a week – another heart-healthy investment since fish contain omega-3 oils that not only reduce heart disease risk but also boost immune system functioning. • The USDA Food Guide Pyramid groups high protein foods together and does not separate out the red meat from the heart-healthy fish and nuts. • The Greek diet contains little of the two kinds of fats known to raise blood cholesterol levels: saturated fat and trans fat (also called “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil” in the ingredients section of food labels). The USDA Food Guide Pyramid does not make the distinction between the healthy fats like monounsaturated oils and the unhealthy fats like saturated (found mostly in red meats and tropical oils) and trans
