BNF 101-03

Basic Course
- Nutrition Pyramid
Learning objectives
• To understand Nutrition Pyramid
• To understand the history of the Nutrition
Pyramid
• To understand the impact of deficiency of
protein in Indian diets and the need for
protein
• To discuss the nutrition guidelines to be
followed for better health and fitness
• To design your nutrition pyramid
www.infs.co.in
Learning outcomes
Enable the students to:
• Describe the evolution of food pyramid,
Indian food pyramid, Diet priority pyramid
• Explain the concept of RDI and healthy food
guide
• Outline the ideal plate as per myplate.gov
Practical Importance of Today’s Learnings

● To understand the concept of diet pyramid.

● To know where all these started
● To understand the relevance of all these pyramids.

www.infs.co.in
Starting with a question

● Do you remember picture of a food pyramid in your textbook?

www.infs.co.in
What are these nutrition/ food pyramids?
● Visually representing idea of balanced
diet*
● As pyramid/ triangle has a larger base,
visually placed food options at the
base are to be consumed in generous
amounts
● Similarly, narrow top represents food
groups that are needed to be
consumed in smaller proportions.
Usually they will be energy dense
foods.
● They are often accompanied with
WikiFood Pyramid" from the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation recommendations, 2002
A "simplified
additional guidelines
● The idea originated in Sweden

* balanced diet should provide optimal nutrients

www.infs.co.in
The First Pyramid- Actually a triangle

● In 1970, food prices were high (maybe due to

Wiki
global food production drop)
● National Board of Health and Welfare developed
idea of basic foods (cheap and nutritious) and
supplemental foods
● Kooperativa Förbundet (KF – a Swedish
Cooperate) presented these groups with help
pyramid
● You can see milk, cheese, bread, potatoes at the
base
● Supplemental foods and veggies in the middle
● Proteins at the top
● Rather than optimal, this is focused on ‘adjusting
and managing’
Anna-Britt Agnsäter in the image
www.infs.co.in
US Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid
Wiki

● Controversies about bottom portion being huge

● Industrial influence
● All fats are treated equally
● It was found to be difficult to understand, and
inadequate to follow.

The USDA's food guide pyramid – 1992-2005

www.infs.co.in
USDA – Mypyramid (2005)

www.infs.co.in
Simplified Food Pyramid and Guidelines by WHO
Wiki 1989 WHO Study Group 2002 Joint WHO/FAO Expert
Dietary factor
recommendations Consultation recommendations
Total fat 15–30% 15–30%
Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) 0–10% <10%
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
3–7% 6–10%
(PUFAs)
n-6 PUFAs 5–8%
n-3 PUFAs 1–2%
Trans fatty acids <1%
Monounsaturated fatty acids
By difference
(MUFAs)
Total carbohydrate 55–75% 55–75%
Free sugars 0–10% <10%
Complex carbohydrate 50–70% No recommendation
Protein 10–15% 10–15%
Cholesterol 0–300 mg/day < 300 mg/day
Sodium chloride (Sodium) < 6 g/day < 5 g/day (< 2 g/day)
Fruits and vegetables ≥ 400 g/day ≥ 400 g/day
≥ 30 g/day (as part of the 400 g of
A "simplified Food Pyramid" from the Joint WHO/FAO Pulses, nuts and seeds
fruit and vegetables)
Expert Consultation recommendations, 2002
Total dietary fiber 27–40 g/day From foods
NSP 16–24 g/day From foods

non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) - Cellulose

www.infs.co.in
The Indian Food Pyramid – Archaic, as well as Modern (??)

Adapted From : NIN (1998)

‘Dietary Guidelines for Indians -’,
National Institute of Nutrition,
Hyderabad, 500(7).
(for education purpose)

www.infs.co.in
 Protein Deficiency Across India

● NIN (National Institute of Nutrition)

recommends 0.8 g/kg/day.
● Most of protein comes from pulses
for Indians which are not high-quality
protein source.
● North India has less than half of this
recommended protein intake.
● Central India, highest protein eater, is
also short of this intake by quite a
few grams.

Adapted from: Ranganathan, J. et al. (2016) ‘Shifting diets for a sustainable food future’, Creating a Sustainable Food Future, 11(April), p. 90. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3808.2961.
www.infs.co.in
Nutrition Guidelines by WHO
A healthy diet should include

• For adults
▪ Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains
▪ Atleast 400 gms of vegetables and fruits in a day
▪ Sugar should be less than 10% of total energy intake
▪ Fat should be less than 30% of total energy intake
▪ Less than 5 gm salt. It should be iodized.

• For infants and young children

▪ Exclusive breastfeeding upto 6 months and then continuously upto 2 years.
▪ After 6 months breast milk should be complemented with variety of adequate, safe and nutrient-dense
food. Salt and sugar should be avoided.

www.infs.co.in
Pyramids Vs Plates: Game of Shapes

www.infs.co.in
Eatwell Guide - NHS

www.infs.co.in
Myplate- USDA

● 30% grains, 40% veggies, 10% fruits, 20%

protein, and smaller portion of dairy
● There are many other guidelines that
accompany this

www.infs.co.in
Exploring MyPlate

• Dedicated website
• Further explore foods and food groups

From https://www.myplate.gov/

www.infs.co.in
Diet Priority Pyramid

Adapted from: Helms, E., Valdez, A.

and Morgan, A. (2019) ‘The Muscle &
Strength Pyramid’, p. 216.

www.infs.co.in
Summary of Learning

● We saw many Nutrition pyramids that draw various nutrition plans but it is not for everyone as
these are just general guidelines.
● Each individual is unique and has their own individual needs, lifestyle, medical conditions, genetic
predispositions, food availability and goals.
● Individual- level plans should be more detailed that needs the requirement of energy balance,
macronutrients and micronutrients

www.infs.co.in
Your feedback is valuable

Do click the link in the chat and provide your feedback!

Help us to care better.

Some important steps taken so far based on your feedback -

1. We have added practical points wherever possible (across all modules)
2. We have improved your dashboard
3. We have added prerequisites in all the modules in order to help you set a better learning flow
4. We have aligned our query solving strategies
5. To help part-time students to learn flexibly, we have arranged all N&E diploma modules in the
weekdays and weekends
And we promise to do more..
www.infs.co.in
TIME FOR Q&A

www.infs.co.in
Thank you!!

www.infs.co.in