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| Media Release |
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT FATS AND SUGARS IN YOUR DIET
AUBURN, MARCH 10---The small tip of the Food Guide Pyramid shows fats, oils and sweets. These foods include salad dressings, cream, butter, margarine, sugars, soft drinks, candies and other sweet desserts, and alcoholic beverages.
Most people should go easy on foods in this group.
Some fat and sugar symbols also are shown in other food groups on the Pyramid. The symbols remind you that some foods in other groups are high in fat and added sugars. These include cheese or ice cream from the milk group, or French fries in the vegetable group.
When choosing foods for a healthy diet, consider the fat and added sugars in your choices from all food groups, not just from the fats, oils and sweets group. The Food Guide Pyramid focuses on fat because most American diets are too high in fat, especially saturated fat.
Remember that the Food Guide Pyramid is only an outline for healthy eating. It is not a rigid prescription, but a general guide that lets you choose healthy foods. Foods in one group can't replace those in another. No one food group is more important than another. For good health you need them all.
The Pyramid calls for eating a variety of foods to get the nutrients the right amount of calories you need to maintain a healthy weight.
SOURCE: DR. EVELYN CRAYTON, Foods and Nutrition Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-2224