Veggie Food pyramid

For those who love to munch on beef, pork, poultry products or anything else that involves meat on the meal, they use the common food pyramid in order to determine the right food groups that must be included in their balanced meal. Of course, those who are against eating animal meat have created their own pyramid where they would base the food groups that they must include in their diet.

The lowest part of the veggie food pyramid is made up of foods that have are rich in whole grains. In every meal, the vegetarian must consume at least 6 to 11 servings of any of the following: pasta, oatmeal, cereal, rice crackers, or bread. The foods that belong to the grain group would not only give sufficient protein that the body needs but essential fatty acids and dietary fiber as well.

On the upper part of this food pyramid for the vegetarian are the fruit and vegetable groups. Everybody is aware that both fruits and vegetables are important in the body to provide the vitamins and minerals that are not present in grains and in animal meat. Vegetarians must eat generous amount of vegetables as well as fruits so that they can have the right amount of vitamins, fiber, sugar, and other minerals that are important in getting that healthy lifestyle.

The third part of the veggie food pyramid is composed of two food groups – the dairy products and the alternatives for meat products. This is the only difference between the ordinary food pyramid and the food guide for the vegetarians. Instead of meat products like poultry, fish, pork, and beef, the foods included in the meat product alternatives include nuts, legumes, and tofu. The foods at the dairy group are still consists of products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.

The summit of the veggie food pyramid is still consists of food that are rich in fats, sweets, as well as salt. Although this is still a part of the vegetarian food guide, it is advisable that they consume this occasionally. Experts also recommend that the use of oil, salt, and sweeteners must be used sparingly so that the body will not have too much of the good thing.

As of the moment, there are still no revisions made in the food pyramid for vegetarians unlike the food guide for non-vegetarians. It is also important that one must seek the help or advice of a nutritionist when shifting from a meal involving meat products and a non-meat meal in order to avoid undergoing a “crash” diet.