Test Your Knowledge

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests that people gradually transition into eating according to the MyPyramid guidelines. People who are just beginning to use the MyPyramid guide may want to keep a food diary of their own meals. This is a notebook or other resource in which people enter the details of each meal. Tracking such information allows people to see how their own diets compare to the food guide pyramid recommendations.

People are encouraged to choose a variety of foods from each food group when planning meals. Eating a wide range of foods helps ensure that a person gets all the nutrients necessary for good health. It also makes meals more interesting and enjoyable. People are encouraged to combine foods from the various food groups in any manner they find agreeable.

People who do not enjoy foods rich in a certain nutrient can always find alternative sources for that nutrient. Those who do not like wheat bread should get their grains from an alternate source that they do like, such as cornmeal muffins or popcorn.

Over a lifetime, a person’s nutrition needs gradually evolve. As people become more or less active, they should adjust their dietary regimen accordingly. Other lifestyle and health factors also may necessitate an adjustment in one’s diet. For this reason, people are advised to return to the MyPyramid.gov site from time to time to update their personal information and to incorporate any appropriate changes to their diet.