On Tue, 13 Oct 1998, Snowlight wrote:

> Also, my objection to the pyramid regarding quantity...although it does
> state "servings" of each category, it still implies by the picture alone
> that we should be basing our diet on grains.  That concept is ruining
> health of many Americans.

I agree.  An interesting variation is the "paleo pyramid," in
which the grain and dairy portions are removed altogether.  This
would leave a wide base of fruits and vegetables, a smaller level
of meats, and a smaller peak of fats/oils.  This would be
consistent with some reconstructions of paleo diet, but not
others.  For example, there is the variation that has fats as the
main source of calories, followed by a level of protein in the
form of meats, followed by a small peak of vegetables or fruits.

Comparing these two paleo pyramids, it appears that the
vegetable-based one is probably more nutrient-dense, since fat is
devoid of most nutrients other than EFAs.  It is fairly clear
that human beings can survive, and have survived, on both kinds
of pyramids.

Todd Moody
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