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.
Ok - we can agree that portions are way out of control!
I'm sure you're more capable of determining the nutritional needs of your patients better than the gov't. While the FP may be helpful to you as a tool, it is equally true that a lot of lobbyist $$ went into creating it.
I've known a couple of people who can go heavy on the grain side as recommended by the FP, but most people I know cannot. Personally, the only time I put on weight is when I add bread or pasta to my diet again (even whole grain). As long as I flip it to veggies and protein on the bottom and grains up with sugar, I'm ok. Anything else makes me bloat up like Rosie O'D.