New pyramid easier to use

Last month the federal government unveiled the redesigned food pyramid; it is designed to help Americans better understand the new dietary guidelines that were issued in January. The new guide is still a pyramid, but it is divided into six color-coded vertical bands of varying widths indicating the amount of food to eat from each food group daily. A stick figure climbing the pyramid is a reminder to exercise.

The new pyramid doesn’t include any food pictures, but the colored bands suggest the food groups: From left to right, they are orange for grains, green for vegetables, red for fruits, yellow for oils, blue for dairy products and purple for meats and beans.

For more information on the new pyramid and advice on how to use it, go to www.mypyramid.gov.