F for Figuring it out...NOT FOR FAILING

I usually like to say you earned the grade "F" because you are still trying to figure out the topic at hand.  If you continue to get an "F" you have to consider two things.  One, is the teacher teaching me in a manner I can comprehend?  Two, Am I putting forth all possible effort to comprehend the material?  


I am giving our regulatory bodies (those in government) an "F" today for truly not comprehending the material and for not putting forth all possible efforts to apply my knowledge.  

What material you ask?  Nutrition in our schools. 

 "MY PYRAMID" is the same pyramid with a new name.  Remember, the FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID we were taught to eat 6-11 servings of breads, pastas and grains each day.  No one ever told me what size my serving was supposed to be, nor why I was supposed to eat the 6-11 servings.  Was I running miles each day, biking across town to get to school, or walking up hill both ways in the snow after I finished hand washing my 11 brothers laundry and cutting the fire wood for that days heat.  Most likely not.  I know for sure the average kid today is not.  I did walk and bike to school quite a ways, but I did not have to cut fire wood or cook for 11 brothers.  


We changed the food guide, and then have nearly stopped spending time or money getting the correct information to the ones who need it most.  The ones who can't ride over to the library, or pull out a medical guide at will. OUR CHILDREN. Our children are at our academic mercy.  They learn most often what they are told to learn.  I had the opportunity to visit with a hand full of children recently.   All but a couple did not know how to tell me what "MY PYRAMID" was from recall.  The age range was 5-11 years .  We truly don't need them memorizing something that will not serve a purpose in their overall health or academics for that matter.  I walked into the project a bit optimistic I suppose.  I was hopeful that our kids were getting more nutrition in school.  We have all this research, data analysis, and medical journals of the poor health our children and are simply hoping it fixes itself.  I'm Sad!

I know what you are thinking...she is just on one of her Nutrition rants because she is a Nutritionist.  If she was a politician she would be going on about the current state of our economy, or tax system.  Not true!  Sure, this is my passion.  HOWEVER, it is also a curable problem.  This tax thing does not seem to be going away anytime soon!  I know, you know the current state of our economy was not a few board members voting in a curriculum.  Our academic system and governmental bodies can truly afford to make this a part of our consistent curriculum.  It is a topic that can fulfill every category in our academic outlines.  


It should be a food circle....continuous and never ending.  One thing leads to the other.  In teaching a circle theory, one thing is always leading to the other.  This big bottom pyramid is to sedentary in theory.  It can not support itself on anything, but its flat stationary bottom.  Our circle will move with very little effort...just a nudge and it is all in motion.  Like we should be in our physical and mental states.  Our body is so complex, disease is so intelligent, and all forever changing.  All leading continuously to the other.  Rome was not built in a day;-)

So to help out a little, here is the frame work of the real PYRAMID we should be discussing with our children, as well as ourselves.  It is called the Performance Pyramid.  After all, we do rely on our nutrition for performance not just existence.  

Assuming we were stacking our performance foods the same way they did on the original pyramid they would go as follows:  

Water, Low Fat Proteins,  Fibrous Vegetables, Whole Fruits, Carbohydrates (good grains), Poly & Mono Unsaturated Fats, Supplements, and Junk (yes, there is a place for junk and its not in the trunk!)

If you need specific information about this topic please contact me at odessalong@yahoo.com