Gothamist: USDA Releases New, Confusing Food Pyramid

veganrd

Tue, 17 May 2005 12:20:57 -0500

Although this new pyramid is similar to the old version in structure and a little confusing, it is very impressive that the USDA finally decided promote fruits, vegetables, and grains as the basis for a healthy diet. Previously, heavy lobbying from the meat and dairy industries discouraged any government agency from recognizing countless research projects and studies proving that this diet is healthier for America. Also under severe pressure from the meat and dairy industries were the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association—two organizations that Americans trust with their lives. Recently, all of them acknowledged that a diet based in fruits, vegetable, and whole grains can curb and/or reverse heart disease and promote a long, active life for everybody.

Cookie Monster

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 10:40:59 -0500

I think I'll stick to the base of the pyramid/bottom of the stairs. Which, apparently, means that I can eat wide swaths of almost everything!!! Pity those poor people at the top of the stairs/pyramid/whatever.

hijiki

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 09:06:57 -0500

is there a fly in the room?

jt

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 21:44:26 -0500

Yes hijiki, I am offended by everyone who is sloppy in their thinking. Are you really offended by people objecting to sloppy thinking? That's strange to me.

hijiki

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 17:55:27 -0500

my god, you'd think they'd at least hire a graphic designer. that thing is seriously confusing and ugly. bad form, bad function. jt, are you really offended that gothamist is talking about something that effects every new yorker in the midst of all the other ny-specific articles here? you think gothamist is undermining the english language? (if so, maybe i should point out that it's spelled 'grammar'). hold on... what do ya know... here we are talking about the food pyramid in the context of nyc right here in the gothamist forums. happy?

jt-r=rocksauce

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:13:18 -0500

I think yous guys are missing the real point here--the habits of the gothamist to send hyperlinks to the ny times and call it journalism. just playing, loren, you lookin' so fine on gawker they even give you an extended run!

T.A.

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 14:11:37 -0500

New USDA food rhombii = compelling new shapes in which the New York Ultrarich(TM) can fashion their mountains of bling! Presto! New York angle! Get Daniel Gross on the phone!

r

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:57:21 -0500

jt, i see your point. I still wouldnt criticize Gothamist whenever they decide to report on national news. I enjoy Gothamist becomes it covers many different topics and doesnt solely focus on NYC-centric events and happenings. If something interesting or noteworthy occurs -- even if its national - I think it would interest many Gothamist readers.

jt

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:51:56 -0500

r, one other thing. If I manged a website about New York, and wanted to talk about the presidential election or the food pyramid or anything else national in scope, I'd at least try to tie it to something local. What does the re-election of Bush mean to New York specifically? How does the food pyramid impact New Yorkers in ways that are not obvious. Without that sort of link, the subject is off-topic from Gothamist's own description. I don't see any such local connection in the pyramid story.

jt

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:47:45 -0500

r, Sure Gothamist can cover whatever it wants. But the site is described as "a website about New York." I realize that logic and grammer may seem like rocket science to some people, but if someone said "Tell me something about New York" and I replied with "The US government put out a new food pyramid" I'd expect to be questioned or even laughed at. If you are that sloppy in your thinking/writing that's your business -- to me it's, well, sloppy and undermines the meaning of our language.

r

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:20:39 -0500

JT - if it concerns the entire country, well then it concerns NY as well! That aint rocket science. Saying Gothamist shouldnt report on USDA findings because its "national" is like saying it shouldnt report on who won the presidential election. "any national law or national intiative is appropriate for gothamist?" Actually, yes! Gothamist can cover whatever they please.

Keith

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:08:35 -0500

A double cheeseburger is so, so, SO unhealthy for you. Only by topping it with several strips of bacon can it be made good for you. And maybe some BBQ sauce.

jt

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:05:51 -0500

So Laren, any national law or national initiative is appropriate for Gothamist? And pretty much anything global too? Makes sense...not really. "Targeting New Yorkers along with everyone else" Doesn't soung like targeting to me.

Jodeci

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:58:24 -0500

Gotta love the Screen Bean climbing the stairs. Classic.

Laren

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:47:57 -0500

What does this have to do with NY? Well, unfortuntately, we haven't yet seceded from the rest of the country, so the USDA is targeting New Yorkers along with everyone else.

iceberg

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:47:15 -0500

They picked a triangle, because that is the shape of most everyone's torso.

jt

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:36:56 -0500

What does this have to do with New York?

Jen

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:34:07 -0500

I like how the media is explaining the food pyramids aren't so pyramidy but actually more rhombus like.

HR

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:06:23 -0500

nothing can stop our country from being the bunch of fat-asses we are. life, liberty & the pursuit of an all-you-can eat buffet. f'ing embrassasing

Captain Midnight

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 11:59:51 -0500

Isn't it just so reassuring to see our taxpayer dollars spent on such a worthy revision? What the heck is the point of a pyramid anymore? It could be anything now -- a bar graph or more appropriately a pie chart. As for me, I'm sticking with a balanced diet from the four major food groups: sugar, salt, fat and preservatives. Yum!