There was a big debate, and it was pointed out there was a lack of studies/science to support it. The reply was it was too important to wait for studies and must be implemented ASAP.
It is contrary to the data I learned in high school Home Economics, and reflected in my cookbooks from the time prior to this vs today. It is also contrary to scientific studies that were done during the great depression time period. This pyramid combined with the large amount of sweeteners mixed into processed foods contributes to the development of diabetes.
An example of one of the mistakes: Vitamin k2 is a fat soluble vitamin not found in plants, just in animal fat from animals that eat grass etc. It is absolutely needed to get the calcium into the bones and out of the blood vessels.
Butter from grass fed cows, Cheese, and egg yolks from free range chickens are a few sources. The Japanese eat Natto and it is a big source, but is a slimy fermented soybean product that stinks like dirty socks.
The factory farm methods don't have a lot of opportunities for getting the K2 into the animal fat. And we've been told that Fat and Eggs are bad for us and well as advice to eat low fat.
However, if you do eat low fat, your good Cholestrol HDL goes way down. The ratio of HDL and LDL is more important than the total Cholestrol.
Reduction of carbs and increase of healthy fats is what is needed, but USDA pyramid still fails to reflect this.
In addition, the bashing of fats and eggs as harmful means that people are being propogandized into avoiding some essential foods.
But soon we'll all likely be going on the Venezuelan Diet. I've read that it leads to rapid loss of at least 25 lbs.😼
