It’s interesting to see that the Department of Agriculture wants to revise its food pyramid to better help Americans lead a healthier life (“Trimming diets a super-size job,” Page 1, Jan. 29). The idea to offer 12 different diet plans instead of the current three is a good one. And advising older men and women who aren’t very active to increase their intake of dark green vegetables, legumes, whole grains and orange vegetables should also help.
The story reported that “surveys have shown that 80 percent of Americans recognize the pyramid, but far fewer heed its advice.”
Well, a lot more of us would have heeded the advice over the last several decades if the USDA had ever told us just what a “serving” is. Is it the amount on 360-pound Uncle Ernie’s plate or the amount on 95-pound Aunt Tillie’s plate?
Now officials say they have received suggestions that they use common measures, such as cups or ounces instead of “servings.” In all the decades past, it never occurred to anyone in that department that “servings” might be a vague concept?
How fortunate we are to have our taxes pay the salaries of these incompetents.
