Perhaps, but the FP was brought up in relation to weight loss. As you state, the FP has nothing to do with weight loss. As for the "easy guide" you and I will have to disagree on that one. The first one was easy, but wrong (6-11 servings of bread and pasta per day? now wonder we're a nation of heifers). The new one is confusing as hell but a bit more balanced. At least it tries to distinguish between whole grain carbs vs crap refined carbs.
If the gov't actually wanted to suggest something helpful, it would toss out the food pyramid nonsense and start a campaign against processed food and promote veggies and exercise. Of course, the $$$ isn't there for that campaign.
The issue with the 6 to 11 servings of Breads and cereals are portion sizes and fiber content. I agree there that a lot of confusion could have been avoided over portion distortion.
An average bagel is about 3 portions of bread.
The average serving of pasta is about 3 to 4 servings. etc. So if someone just eats the bagel and pasta, they only need a sandwich at night and thats it!
Then there is the whole grain issue also.
Going to whole grain pastas & breads, eating 1/2 a bagel for breakfast etc are all part of the teaching tools we use.
The issue is imparting the information. The FP is what we use to educate caregivers and clients.
Granted, I'm no longer teaching because I'm just too damn mean. However, I'm kickass in assessments and getting stuff to heal.